Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 108: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if progress is expected to be made in the matter of undocumented Irish in the US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17071/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Government continues to attach the highest importance to resolving the plight of our undocumented citizens in the United States. The Taoiseach emphasised this commitment during his address to the US Congress yesterday. I am also having a series of meetings on the issue with key Congressional figures and with the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform in Washington this week.

Following the failure of the US Congress to pass comprehensive immigration reform legislation last June, despite the strong endorsement and encouragement of President Bush, the Government immediately set about exploring with key US Administration and Congressional contacts possible alternative bilateral options. In particular, we have lobbied congressional figures on a specific reciprocal proposal that, if successful, would make thousands of visas available annually to Irish citizens, including the undocumented, and to US citizens interested in working in Ireland.

However, achieving progress on immigration reform at this time, in the middle of a Presidential campaign, is exceptionally difficult. The political reality in the United States is that immigration has become a divisive political issue. Our many friends in Congress have emphasised this, including the difficulty of passing legislation specifically for our citizens separate from the other 12 million undocumented.

Despite these considerable political challenges, the Government will continue to press for change and will work closely with our friends in Congress and with the many organisations who have worked hard on behalf of the undocumented in the Irish community, including the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform (ILIR).