Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 16: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he brought up the status of the undocumented his visit to the United States for St. Patrick's Day; the progress made in relation to this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17209/12]

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

Question 31: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress made to date on resolving the issue of the undocumented Irish in the US; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17167/12]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 55: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if it has been possible to engage with the US authorities with a view to regularisation of undocumented Irish in the United States having particular regard to the vulnerability of such persons and the potential hardship to them and their families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17533/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 31 and 55 together.

The welfare of our young people who are working abroad is a very important priority for the Government. I made this clear during my visit to Canada over St Patrick's Day when I had an opportunity to meet many young Irish living and working there and where I opened a centre in Toronto which will help address their needs.

There are particular concerns in the United States where addressing the position of the undocumented Irish and reforming our migration arrangements are priorities for the Government in its contacts with the US Administration and Congress.

The Taoiseach and I have worked closely and continuously on this matter. We discussed immigration issues with President Obama on 23 May last year in Dublin and I have raised it in discussion with Secretary of State Clinton.

My assessment at this stage is that the Government's keen interest in a resolution of the situation for undocumented Irish migrants is well recognised and accepted by our friends within US Administration and Congress. Their advice to us remains that comprehensive reform of the US immigration system and procedures is likely to be the only manner by which this can be achieved.

With a view to helping some positive momentum around immigration issues insofar as they relate to Ireland, enabling Irish people to apply for E-3 temporary U.S. work visas has been a particular focus of our efforts. If passed this would make 10,000 E-3 visas available to Irish citizens each year.

During my visit to Washington in February, I reviewed progress on E-3 issues during meetings with Senators Leahy, Brown, & Schumer and the Friends of Ireland group in the House of Representatives and with Deputy Secretary Bill Burns.

I also discussed prospects for progress with the Congressional Delegation led by leader Nancy Pelosi in Dublin on 12 March.

During his recent visit to Washington, the Taoiseach raised immigration with President Obama and with Senators Leahy, Brown and Schumer and the Friends of Ireland Group.

While I am heartened by the advances that have been made so far towards bi-partisan consensus in the US Senate towards enabling Irish people to apply for E-3 visas, I am conscious that passing any immigration-related legislation in an election year in the US presents very significant challenges. Through our Embassy in Washington, the Government will continue to work closely with our friends in Congress and with Irish-American community representatives with a view to ensuring that every opportunity is taken to put an E-3 visa scheme in place.