Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 170: 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. [23947/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Government continues to attach the highest importance to resolving the plight of our undocumented citizens in the United States. My predecessor raised this issue repeatedly on his many visits to the US and the former Taoiseach highlighted it during his address to the Joint Houses of Congress on 30 April.

In the absence of comprehensive immigration reform, which would legalise most of the 11 million undocumented in the US, we have advocated a bilateral solution. This would put in place reciprocal immigration arrangements which would reflect the traditionally close relationship between Ireland and the US, and would also offer a solution for our undocumented citizens.

The Taoiseach and I had some very useful exchanges on how to take this proposal forward with a number of senior US Senators during their visit to Dublin at the end of May. Making progress on any immigration related issue, particularly the element related to the undocumented, in an election year in the United States will be very challenging indeed. However, I am determined that we will try and advance the proposal in every way possible. In this regard, our Ambassador in Washington has been instructed to continue to prioritise the issue and to maintain the closest contact with key Members of Congress in its pursuit.

The Government also continues to work closely with the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform (ILIR). The Taoiseach had a very constructive meeting last month with the ILIR's Chairman, Niall O'Dowd, and our Embassy and Consulates will maintain very close contact with the organisation in the period ahead.