Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 February 2017
31. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he raised the issue of the undocumented Irish during his recent visit to Washington; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8549/17]
View answer40. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the negotiations he had with the new Administration in the White House to try to regularise the position regarding the undocumented Irish. [8707/17]
View answer41. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his discussions with US officials on immigration reform and in particular the plight of undocumented Irish citizens in the United States of America; his plans to meet US officials in the near future to discuss this further; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8522/17]
View answer58. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the immigration policies of President Trump; his further views on policies that discriminate on the basis of religion and block access to asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8763/17]
View answer61. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he raised the matter of the executive order banning citizens from seven countries from entering the USA during his recent visit there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8816/17]
View answerWill the Minister report on his recent visit to Washington, D.C. and his discussions on the fate of the undocumented Irish? What issues or measures did he raise with his counterparts in America? Can he report any progress in that regard with the new Administration?
I propose to take Questions Nos. 31, 40, 41, 58 and 61 together.
As I made clear in my statement of 29 January 2017 concerning the executive order signed by President Trump on 27 January last, while US immigration policy is a matter for the US authorities, it is clear that this decision could have far-reaching implications – both on humanitarian grounds and on relations between the US and the global Muslim community. Accordingly, I share the concerns expressed by other EU partners regarding this development.
I have noted the clarification issued by the Embassy of the United States in Dublin on 31 January 2017 to the effect that the executive order in question does not restrict the travel of dual nationals to the United States, so long as they hold the passport of an unrestricted country and possess a valid US visa, if required. The US courts have since intervened and imposed a suspension on the implementation of the executive order.
Both the executive order of 27 January and the question of immigration reform in the United States were high on the agenda for my visit to Washington, D.C. from 31 January to 2 February last. I had a number of engagements with the Administration and congressional leaders, including the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, the House Majority Leader and the House Minority Leader among others.
In my meetings with congressional leaders, as well as with the now former US National Security Adviser, General Flynn, I expressed Ireland's deep concerns with regard to the nature and impact of the executive order of 27 January. In response, General Flynn outlined to me the rationale in terms of US immigration policy for these temporary measures while I pointed out their damaging consequences in humanitarian terms, as well as for the international reputation of the United States.
Achieving relief for the undocumented Irish citizens in the US and securing greater legal pathways for migration to the US remain key objectives for the Government. These priorities featured in all of my meetings in Washington D.C., including with General Flynn, Speaker Ryan and other congressional leaders.
Both the Administration and Members of Congress are fully aware of the importance of this issue for Ireland and appreciate our strong and continuing interest in securing immigration reform. The Taoiseach's forthcoming visit to Washington, D.C. for St. Patrick's Day, which is now widely welcomed in the House, will provide a key opportunity to raise the issue of immigration reform, especially the plight of our undocumented, directly with the US Administration at the highest level.
During my visit, I also met members of the Irish community in Washington, D.C. and reassured them as to the Government's commitment to immigration reform. I emphasised that while the political context in Washington may have changed, the Government's objectives remain constant, namely, relief for the undocumented and finding greater pathways for legal migration to the United States of America. I noted that we can only advance these objectives if we engage fully and articulate our views with the key decision makers in the Administration and in Congress. In addition to these contacts at political level, the embassy in Washington and our consulates across the United States continue to work with Irish immigration centres on a daily basis in providing support to Irish citizens in the US.
Our ambassador to the US held a workshop with key immigration stakeholders in the Irish community, from across the United States at the embassy on 12 January last. Ambassador Anderson and her team remain fully engaged. The Government and my Department are committed to providing practical support to undocumented Irish citizens in the US while also continuing to advocate for immigration reform. I acknowledge the work, commitment and engagement at every level of my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy McHugh, who is today on diaspora duties outside the jurisdiction.
I thank the Minister for that outline. For the purpose of the discussions the Taoiseach will have with President Trump, is the Minister exploring other options? The Obama plan for overall immigration reform is dead in the water under the new Administration and we cannot wait for a change in administration to find a new tack. Might there be reciprocal visa arrangements such as a bilateral arrangement between Ireland and the United States similar to that in place between Australia and the United States whereby the undocumented Irish could apply for some kind of temporary legal status?
The fact they are undocumented or illegal in America would not preclude them from applying. Are we looking at reciprocal visa arrangements or are we waiting for overall immigration reform in the United States? I put it to the Minister that we should move ahead with a specific bilateral deal with the US, or at least the possibility of such a deal.
My question was more general and was on whether the Minister raised the executive order banning people from seven countries, which has since been suspended. My serious concern is that the message the Minister is taking from this Dáil is that we welcome the forthcoming visit to America. While I believe the Taoiseach should go to America, I suggest he should carry with him the strong voice of this Dáil, which does not agree with what President Trump is saying. A report produced by Amnesty International refers specifically to the politics of demonisation, which shamefully peddles a dangerous idea that some people are less human than others and thereby strips away the humanity of entire groups of people. While the undocumented Irish are extremely important and near to my heart - I welcome the questions about them - the importance of this issue and this policy extends beyond Irish people in America and goes to the heart of what we want the Taoiseach to tell President Trump. It is simply not acceptable to ban people based on race, religion or a decision made on a whim by an American President. Since the suspension of the initial order, the US Administration has brought in a new executive order, which is equally worrying in respect of the undocumented Irish and all the other undocumented people in America. The Minister should familiarise himself with it. I would appreciate it if he could address the matters I have raised.
As we are unlikely to reach Question No. 32 in the name of Deputy Smyth, I will allow her to ask the Minister a question about the undocumented at this point.
My question does not relate to the undocumented. I was hoping to raise a different topic.
Okay.
I assure Deputy Darragh O'Brien that the Government continues to offer active and comprehensive support to Irish communities abroad, particularly in the United States of America, where many emigrant support groups provide assistance to the large Irish community there. Issues relating to Irish people who are undocumented and whose status has not been regularised feature strongly in our emigrant support programme. We fund several organisations that provide a range of services in the US. I acknowledge the recent changes in respect of the J1 visa programme, which has been tremendously successful and has formed a strong basis of our relationship with US Administrations over the past 50 years. Almost 150,000 Irish third-level students and young people have participated in the programme over the years. Following an announcement that was made last week, an additional 2,600 J1 places will be made available this year. I have discussed at the highest level the need to explore a number of pathways and options that may be available to secure relief for the up to 50,000 undocumented Irish people in the US. It is important that every avenue and every opportunity is pursued. My understanding is that there may well be an initiative in the US towards the end of this year. That depends on scheduling and the speed with which legislation goes through the Houses of Congress. We have some direct experience of that here.
The answer to Deputy Connolly's question is "Yes". I availed of the opportunity to express the deep concern of the Irish Government and the Irish people with regard to the nature and impact of the executive order of 27 January. I assure the Deputy this issue was an agenda item at almost every meeting I attended. I gave a clear picture of this country's concerns regarding the executive order at a number of my engagements by pointing out its damaging humanitarian consequences and its damaging effect on the international reputation of the US itself.
I apologise to those whose questions could not be taken, particularly Deputy Smyth, who waited patiently all day. It is hoped that her question will be given a higher position in the lottery the next time.
