Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 February 2013
88. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he and his Department continues to have dialogue with the authorities in the United State with a view to establishing criteria whereby undocumented Irish in the US are regulated whether by way of bilateral arrangement or general arrangement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9277/13]
View answer89. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he has had discussions with Irish emigrant organisations in the US with a view to achieving some arrangement whereby the undocumented Irish can be regularised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9278/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 88 and 89 together.
The welfare of the Irish abroad in general and especially the position of undocumented Irish immigrants in the United States remains an important priority for the Government. A resolution of the situation for undocumented Irish immigrants will continue to be pursued by the Government in our ongoing contacts with the US Administration and Congress.
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. The prospects for such reform would appear to have advanced in the wake of President Obama’s re-election. The emphasis he placed on immigration reform in his inauguration address as well as his subsequent speech on the issue on 29 January and his State of the Union address on 12 February sent a very positive signal in this regard. The indications of emerging bipartisan support for reform in Congress is also encouraging.
Through our Embassy in Washington and in close liaison with Irish-American community representatives, our contacts with the US Administration and Congress continue 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. In this regard, I raised the issue with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during our bilateral meeting on 6 December last and recalled our strong support for comprehensive immigration legislation and the passage of E3 visas for Irish citizens. I am currently engaged in a round of telephone discussions with key US Senators and in this context I spoke with Senator John McCain on 8 February last to express the Government’s appreciation for the efforts he and others are making in developing bi-partisan Senate proposals and to underline our ongoing interest in the issue. The Taoiseach discussed immigration reform when he spoke with President Obama to congratulate him on his re-election. The issue will remain a central feature of the Government’s engagement with the US authorities, including over the forthcoming St Patrick’s day period. My programme, and that of other members of the Government during that period, while not yet finalised, will include meetings with key political figures and the Irish community groups that provide assistance to the undocumented.
Much further debate and discussion is likely to be required within the US political system as to what any future legislative deal might comprise. It is therefore not possible at this stage to identify an exact timescale in which these may become clear but the area will continue to receive the Government’s close attention over the period ahead.
