Cecilia Keaveney
Question:131 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in relation to the United States of America border visas programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15167/99]
Written Answers. - US Visas.
The Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Bill was passed unanimously by both Houses of the United States Congress in early October and was signed into law by President Clinton on 30 October 1998. The new Act amends US immigration law by authorising a new visa programme – the Q-2 or Irish peace process cultural and training visa programme – which will allow 4,000 people aged 35 or under residing in Northern Ireland or one of the six Border counties to go to the US for a period up to three years for the purpose of developing job skills and conflict resolution abilities.
The legislation provides for the programme to be approved by the Attorney General, the Immigration and Naturalisation Service and the Secretary of State. The consultation process about how it will operate, involving several Government agencies in the US and Ireland, will have to be completed and funding will have to be provided before the programme can be put in place and applications can be accepted. The most likely date for the programme to commence is 1 October 1999, the beginning of the next fiscal year in the U.S.