A Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.
It is not the practice to make statements on brief working visits of this type. I would, however, like to take the opportunity afforded by these questions to tell the Dáil how encouraged I was at the favourable view taken in the United States of prospects for the economy here, for changes in the immigration laws and by the great volume of sympathy and support there is for the Irish people in their desire to bring peace and justice to Northern Ireland.
During the visit, one of my main priorities was to assess at first hand the present situation of Irish emigrants in the US and how our efforts on their behalf are progressing. I had meetings with the Immigration Working Committees under the aegis of the Consulates-General in both New York and Boston, as well as discussions with Senator Edward Kennedy who, together with Senator Simpson and Congressmen Donnelly and Schumer, have brought forward legislative proposals to reform the immigration laws. There is every chance that this legislation will be enacted this year. It would represent a considerable improvement in the position of young Irish people working in the US. I availed of every opportunity during my visit to urge the Irish-American community to use their influence to have the legislation successfully enacted. In meetings which I had with Cardinal O'Connor of New York and Cardinal Law of Boston, this issue was at the centre of our mutual concerns. I regard the discussions I had on this subject as very useful and constructive.
The promotion of the financial services centre, industrial investment and tourism were among my principal concerns in my meetings with US and Irish-American businessmen and in media interviews which I gave. Again here, I found the discussions extremely useful and potentially of great benefit to Ireland.
On Northern Ireland, I availed of my visit to reiterate a number of important features of Government policy. I reiterated again the Government's adherence to the Anglo-Irish Agreement to which, as an international accord, they are fully committed to working as part of the process for funding peace, stability and reconciliation in Ireland.
In short, I took the opportunity afforded by the visit to bring to attention in the US, across a wide spectrum of opinion, the main priorities and concerns of the Irish Government at this time, I regard the visit as having been very satisfactory and successful.