Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to discuss immigration reform with the American Government regarding the status of the illegal Irish in America. [50105/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Government continues to attach particular importance to the welfare of the Irish abroad in general and especially to the position of undocumented Irish immigrants in the United States. A resolution of the situation for undocumented Irish migrants will continue to be pursued by the Government in our ongoing contacts with the US Administration and Congress, including by myself and the Taoiseach at every suitable opportunity. The advice of Ireland’s friends and contacts within the US Administration and Congress has long been that comprehensive reform of the US immigration system and procedures is likely to be the only manner by which such a resolution can be achieved. In welcoming the outcome of last week’s US Presidential election, I noted that the prospects for such reform would certainly appear to have advanced as a result of President Obama having won a second term. I can assure the Deputy that through our Embassy in Washington and in close liaison with Irish-American community representatives, our contacts with the US Administration and Congress will intensify even further over the coming weeks and months with a view to ensuring that the interests and concerns of undocumented Irish immigrants are captured in any future legislative deal in this area that emerges.

I would add here that much further debate and discussion is likely to be required within the US political system as to what such a deal might comprise. It is therefore not possible at this stage to specify its contents or identify an exact timescale in which these may become clear but as I have underlined, the area will continue to receive the Government’s close attention over the period ahead.