Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 85: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the efforts he has made and the prospects or progress in legalising the status of the undocumented Irish community in the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7160/10]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 106: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress made to date on resolving the issue of undocumented Irish in the US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7232/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 106 together.

Finding a solution for our undocumented citizens in the United States continues to be an important priority for this Government. We are also committed to enhancing our bilateral migration arrangements with the US through the establishment of a reciprocal two year renewable visa scheme, known as the E3 visa, and the further development of the recently agreed working holiday programme.

The issue has featured in a significant way in my recent contacts with the US Administration and members of Congress, including during my meeting with Secretary of State Clinton in Dublin last October. On my visit to Washington and New York on 14-17 October, I held extensive discussions on the prospect for progress on immigration reform with a significant number of key Democrats and Republicans in Congress. These included the Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Patrick Leahy, Senator John McCain, Senator Lindsey Graham, Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Senator Chris Dodd, Senator Bob Casey, the Chair of the House Sub Committee on Immigration, Zoe Lofgren and the members of the House of Representatives Friends of Ireland Group. I also discuss the matter on a regular basis with Ambassador Rooney, including during our most recent meeting on 22 January.

There remains considerable support among key political figures in the United States for efforts to find a solution for the Irish undocumented and for the E3 visa initiative. However it has been made clear to us that the undocumented can only be provided for through comprehensive immigration reform.

Supporters of reform had hoped that a comprehensive bill, which would address the concerns of the undocumented, would be introduced and make progress in Congress early this year. However, the outcome of the recent senate election in Massachusetts, the ongoing effort to pass health care legislation and the forthcoming mid-term elections, could combine to complicate the political prospects for the passage of immigration reform.

Our Embassy in Washington continues to maintain very close contact with the Administration and key contacts in Congress to ensure that Irish interests are considered as part of the ongoing debate over immigration reform. The issue will also be raised by the Taoiseach and I during our St Patrick's Day visit to the United States.

The Government also continues to maintain close contact with the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform to which we have provided a total of $285,000 in funding under the Emigrant Support Programme since 2006.