Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 72: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if it is proposed that, as has become customary, the Taoiseach is to travel to the United States over the St Patrick's Day 2009 period; if it is envisioned that he will meet the new US President on such a trip; if it is further proposed to discuss the issue of the undocumented Irish in the USA at that time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5206/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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While the Taoiseach's programme has not yet been finalised, the Government welcomes the fact that President Obama has indicated that he will continue the tradition of receiving the Taoiseach on St. Patrick's Day. I know that the Taoiseach will take this unique opportunity to strengthen and underpin the close economic and political ties between our two countries. Over the St. Patrick's Day period, the Taoiseach and other Government Ministers will promote trade and business opportunities. We will engage with and seek to harness the support of the Irish community, including by addressing the situation of the undocumented.

The Government continues to attach the highest importance to resolving the plight of our undocumented citizens in the United States. We will use the opportunity afforded by the St. Patrick's Day celebrations in the US to engage the new Administration at the very highest levels on this issue. In doing so, we will be building on the extensive work on behalf of the undocumented that the Government has carried out over recent years with our friends and supporters on Capitol Hill, with the previous Administration and, importantly, with many of those who are now members of the new Administration.