Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 March 2013
164. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Taoiseach if he discussed the plight of the undocumented Irish in the US with President Obama and senior American politicians during his visit to Washington; if any progress was made; the outcome of these discussions; the persons that attended these meetings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14631/13]
View answerDuring my visit to Washington last week, I raised the prospects for comprehensive immigration reform in my engagements with senior political figures including President Obama, Vice President Biden, Speaker Boehner, and Senators McCain, Leahy and Schumer. The Tánaiste, who accompanied me to most of these meetings, also raised this issue in his other political engagements in Washington.
President Obama, Vice-President Biden and the other senior political figures acknowledged the importance of immigration reform including its significance for Ireland and the Irish community, and committed to continuing their efforts to advance progress on the issue. Based on my engagements during my visit to the US, I am hopeful that a resolution can be reached that will favourably address the situation of the undocumented Irish in the United States.
Through our Embassy in Washington and in close liaison with Irish-American community representatives, the Tánaiste and the Government will continue to engage with our contacts in the US Administration and Congress, with a view to ensuring that the interests and concerns of undocumented Irish immigrants are reflected in any future legislative deal in this area that emerges as well as looking to advance the development of suitable mechanisms that could enable future flows of legal migration from Ireland to the United States.
Issues regarding the Irish abroad including the position of undocumented Irish immigrants in the United States are primarily the responsibility of the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, who leads the Government's efforts to resolve the situation for undocumented Irish immigrants in ongoing contacts at both political and diplomatic level with the US Administration and Congress. Therefore specific questions on this topic should be addressed to the Tánaiste in the first instance.
