Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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30. To ask the 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. [44971/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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This is a repeat of my previous answer to Question No. 2.

This is, and will remain, a priority for the Government in our bilateral relationship with the United States. Through our Embassy in Washington and our Consulates throughout the U.S., we are working closely with many other individuals and groups across Irish America and beyond towards achieving some relief for undocumented Irish migrants in the United States and improved channels for legal migration between Ireland and America. During my visit to the US from 23 September to 1 October I had a wide range of meetings on this important issue with both Irish community groups and high level government contacts, including Vice President Joe Biden, White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough, and Secretary of State John Kerry.

As you are all aware, last Thursday President Obama announced new measures which should benefit thousands of undocumented Irish immigrants based in the US. Pending further possible measures being considered by the US Congress, the President’s measures are a step forward which will undoubtedly have a positive impact on immigrants’ lives. The Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers (CIIC) have welcomed President Obama's announcement as an important first step in allowing for much needed improvements to the immigration system. At the core of his proposals is that undocumented immigrants in the US for more than 5 years, who have children who are US citizens or legal residents, who register, go through background checks and pay their taxes, will be protected from deportation and given temporary legal status. I particularly welcome a provision which, for the first time, albeit under limited conditions, will permit some travel from and to the United States for those undocumented Irish who are eligible to apply under the arrangements President Obama has announced. Details as to how the travel provision will work in practice have yet to be confirmed but through our Embassy in Washington, we are following up on it directly with the White House and U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

This clearly represents real progress, albeit with further important steps yet to be achieved, and I’m happy that the relentless efforts of the Government and our Embassy and diplomatic missions in close partnership with the Irish community in the US have begun to bear fruit. I am determined that as many Irish nationals as possible will benefit from these changes and, to that end, our missions in the US will continue to work in partnership with the excellent Irish immigration centres there whose work my Department supports. At the same time, I am by no means complacent about what has yet to be done. I’m well aware that some will not benefit from these new arrangements and that our work to encourage further changes in this area must be pushed forward proactively.

It is clear that on immigration reform, as President Obama himself has indicated, there is no substitute for legislative action by Congress. The government and our Embassy will continue to work with the US Administration and with Republican and Democratic political leaders. We already have strong friendships across both aisles in Congress and will keep building our network of friends on Capitol Hill. Through our Embassy and Consulates in the U.S. and through direct political contacts with the Administration and all sides in Congress, we will continue to encourage further steps that will reflect the concerns and needs of the undocumented Irish and their families, as well as ensuring improved channels for legal migration between Ireland and America.