Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 286: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the representations he has made to the United States authorities regarding the plight of undocumented Irish citizens, in particular regarding the difficulty faced by those incarcerated for overstaying their visas before deportation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9693/09]

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 and has actively engaged with senior US political figures on their behalf over recent years. As the Deputy will be aware, we have actively pursued a bilateral approach 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; new bilateral arrangements to provide reciprocal long term working visas (known as E3s); and a solution for our undocumented.

The first of these objectives has already been delivered and the new J1 visas are now being issued to Irish citizens. The second objective, the provision of long term working visas similar to the E3 visas available to Australian citizens, has formed the basis for detailed discussions with senior Members of Congress over the past twelve months. We are also in ongoing contact with US lawmakers on the issue of wider immigration reform, including a solution for the undocumented Irish. Recently, I wrote to Senator Charles Schumer, congratulating him on his appointment as chair of the Senate's Sub Committee on Immigration, and reiterating the Government's commitment to addressing the plight of the undocumented. Senator Schumer has indicated that he wishes to be helpful, as have several other senior political figures, including Senator John McCain.

As the Deputy will appreciate, however, and as our contacts in Congress advise, immigration remains a politically sensitive issue in the US and making progress presents real challenges. The Taoiseach and I will use the particular 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 and to build on the progress we have already made in reforming our overall visa and immigration arrangements with the US.

On the particular issue of the detention of Irish citizens prior to their deportation for visa infringements, I am aware of the concerns that have been raised and can appreciate the anxiety and stress involved for those detained and for their families back home. I fully share the families' concern at the lengthy procedure which the US authorities use for the deportation of foreign citizens in such cases. Our Embassy and Consulates in the United States provide consular assistance to Irish nationals who have been detained and who are awaiting deportation. They seek to minimise the detention period by assuring the US authorities that documentation can be provided without delay to enable departure. They have also succeeded in expediting the deportation process in some cases involving particular medical or other humanitarian issues. Our Ambassador in Washington has raised with the US authorities the issue of the detention of Irish citizens prior to deportation and has requested that their particular circumstances be taken into account.

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 287: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if recent discussions have taken place in regard to undocumented Irish citizens in the US; if progress is being made in regard to their status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9736/09]

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 and has actively engaged with senior US political figures on their behalf over recent years.

As the Deputy will be aware, we have actively pursued a bilateral approach 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; new bilateral arrangements to provide reciprocal long term working visas (known as E3s); and a solution for our undocumented.

The first of these objectives has already been delivered and the new J1 visas are now being issued to Irish citizens. The second objective, the provision of long term working visas similar to the E3 Visas available to Australian citizens, has formed the basis for detailed discussions with senior Members of Congress over the past twelve months.

We are also in ongoing contact with US lawmakers on the issue of wider immigration reform, including a solution for the undocumented Irish. Recently, I wrote to Senator Charles Schumer, congratulating him on his appointment as chair of the Senate's Sub Committee on Immigration, and reiterating the Government's commitment to addressing the plight of the undocumented. Senator Schumer has indicated that he wishes to be helpful, as have several other senior political figures, including Senator John McCain.

In working to find a solution for the undocumented, we are continuing to liaise closely with Irish community organisations in the United States, including the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, with whom I met in Dublin in February and will meet again in New York next weekend. As the Deputy will appreciate, and as our key contacts in Congress continue to advise, immigration remains a politically sensitive issue in the US and making progress presents real challenges.

The Taoiseach and I will use the particular 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 and to build on the progress we have already made in reforming our overall visa and immigration arrangements with the US.