Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 March 2013
67. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his discussions in the US regarding the undocumented Irish and plans for immigration reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15848/13]
View answer81. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent, if any, to which he has had discussions with the authorities in the US in the matter of addressing the issue of undocumented Irish; if he can indicate any progress towards achieving specific targets in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15934/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 67 and 81 together.
The position of undocumented Irish immigrants in the United States and the need to provide opportunities for future legal migration between Ireland and the US, through Ireland’s inclusion in the E3 visa programme, are important priorities for the Government. Both objectives featured prominently in the meetings the Taoiseach and I held in Washington with the US Administration and Congress during the St Patrick’s Day period. These included meetings with President Obama, Senators Leahy, Schumer, McCain and Isakson and with several leading members of the House of Representatives. I also discussed the prospects for immigration reform in my meetings with Secretary of State Kerry on 6 and 18 March.
The clear advice that emerged from these high level contacts remains that comprehensive reform is likely to be the only manner by which a resolution for the undocumented can be achieved.
The prospects for such reform have advanced in the wake of President Obama’s re-election. He emphasised his commitment to achieving a positive outcome in his inauguration and State of the Union addresses and during his meeting with the Taoiseach and myself on 19 March.
The indications of emerging bipartisan support for reform in Congress are also encouraging. Although work is underway in the Senate and the House of Representatives, full proposals have not yet been tabled and it is therefore not possible at this stage to identify an exact timescale during which progress might be achieved. It is also important to recognise that immigration remains a divisive political issue and that achieving a positive outcome will be very difficult.
I can assure the Deputies that this issue will continue to receive the Government’s closest attention over the period ahead.
