Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 September 2013
131. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013; the proposals there are to have further discussions with Members of the US Congress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38835/13]
View answerA resolution of the situation facing the undocumented Irish in the United States has been and remains a priority for the Government in ongoing contacts with the US Administration and Congress. The Government has also attached great importance to providing for future flows of migration between Ireland and the United States through the extension of the “E-3” visa scheme to include Irish citizens.In this context, we very much welcomed the US Senate’s approval of the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Bill by a 68-32 margin on 27 June last. The comprehensive draft legislation, which was drafted over several months by a bi-partisan group of eight US Senators, provides for extensive reform of the US immigration system. It includes provisions that would legalise the status of undocumented Irish people and provide a path to permanent residency. It also provides for future flows of legal migration between Ireland and the US via the proposed E-3 visa. The Bill is a very positive development. Its provisions, if adopted, would help to end the great hardship and uncertainty faced by undocumented Irish in the US and their families here in Ireland. The inclusion of a new provision to allow several thousand Irish citizens to legally avail of employment opportunities in the US every year is also particularly welcome. The focus has now shifted to the House of Representatives for its consideration of the issues. It remains to be seen whether a consolidated Bill can be agreed between the Senate and the House of Representatives. It is generally accepted that securing overall agreement will remain a complex and challenging process.
During my recent visit to Washington DC on 11-12 July last, I held a series of meetings on Capitol Hill, including with key members of the House of Representatives and Senate, with the US Administration and with Irish-American community representatives. I reiterated the Government’s interest in all aspects of immigration reform and in particular our interest in seeing an overall agreement reached which provides relief for currently undocumented Irish migrants and a facility for future flows of legal migration between Ireland and the US.
I want to acknowledge the role played by our staff at the Embassy in Washington who have been following developments closely and building support for our objectives. I intend to make further contacts with key Congressional leaders in the course of my visit to New York later his month to address the UN General Assembly. I also wish to acknowledge the active role being played by a number of Irish community organisations, including the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Chicago Celts for Immigration Reform and the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform. I also intend to have further exchanges with these and other Irish-American community representatives while I am in New York later this month.
