Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps he is taking to promote a US bilateral deal on the undocumented Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4752/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Government attaches the highest importance to resolving the plight of our undocumented citizens in the United States. In the absence, to date, of comprehensive immigration reform in the US, we have actively pursued a bilateral approach in this area, aimed at reforming our overall immigration arrangements with the United States and facilitating greater legal migration between the two countries. The approach has had three core objectives; a reciprocal Working Holiday Agreement (now operational); new bilateral arrangements to provide reciprocal long term working visas (known as E3s); and a solution for our undocumented.

The second objective, the provision of long term working visas similar to the E3 Visas available to Australian citizens, has already formed the basis for detailed discussions with senior Member of Congress over the past twelve months. A bilateral programme for long term visas would represent a very significant step in the reform of our immigration arrangements with the US. The Deputy may wish to be aware, however, that the E3 visa arrangements for Australian citizens are not open to their undocumented in the US.

The third objective, finding a solution for the undocumented, remains an important priority for the Government. Ideally, the undocumented would be able to avail of the proposed E3 bilateral visa. However, if that is not possible — as many of our key contacts have already advised — then their best prospect for a solution lies with comprehensive immigration reform.

Immigration remains a divisive issue in the US Congress, and making progress in this area will continue to be challenging. In taking up the issue with the new US Administration and Congress, however, 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, and in cooperation with the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, to which we have provided funding of $235,000 since 2006. 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 this issue.