Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 174: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has had meetings with the new administration in America in relation to the undocumented Irish in America. [3990/09]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 175: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if meetings have taken place between the Irish Ambassador in America and the new administration in relation to the undocumented Irish in America. [3991/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 175 together.

The Government is strongly committed to trying to resolve the plight of the undocumented Irish in the United States.

President Obama, Secretary of State Clinton and other senior members of the new Administration have for some time been strong supporters of comprehensive immigration reform. Since the new year, there have also been helpful public indications that Senate Majority Leader, Senator Harry Reid, and Senator John McCain intend to support action in this area. However, as the Deputy will appreciate, the issue remains politically divisive in the US Congress and making progress will be challenging.

The members of the new Administration and Congress are currently taking up office in Washington, and the Government is in the process of establishing substantive contact with them. In doing so, we are building on the extensive work on behalf of the undocumented that the Government has carried out over recent years with many of those now within the Administration.

The Taoiseach, I and other members of Government will use the unique opportunity afforded by the St. Patrick's Day celebrations in the US to engage the new Administration at the very highest level on the situation of the undocumented.

Our Ambassador in Washington will continue to attach the highest priority to this issue in his ongoing contacts with the Obama Administration.

More broadly, the Government is actively seeking to reform our overall migration arrangements with the United States. In addition to our work on behalf of the undocumented, the Government recently concluded a new Working Holiday Agreement with the United States and is working to secure the passage of legislation which would enable Irish citizens to avail of the E3 working visa currently open to Australians.