asked the Taoiseach if he will meet representatives of the Irish Immigration Reform Movement on his visit to the United States.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Immigration Reform Movement.
2.
I will be in the US for a very short time on this occasion, and a meeting with representatives of the movement is not part of my programme, which is full. The Deputy will, however, recall that the Tánaiste and I met representatives of the movement in the US last year when we had useful discussions with them on immigration issues. Our diplomatic offices in the US keep in touch with the movement in their work on behalf of our emigrants and I will, of course, be pressing strongly on our friends in Congress and in the Administration for further measures on behalf of our young people in the US.
I am disappointed the Taoiseach will not have time to fit in a meeting with the Irish Immigration Reform Movement on this visit. Will he accept that it is time there was a real acknowledgment by the Government — and indeed the Opposition parties — of the crisis confronting the estimated 150,000 young Irish illegal immigrants in the United States? Will he also accept that since we are not in a position to provide employment for them in this country there is a duty, responsibility and obligation on us to provide some degree of funding so that there is a basic service available to them?
The Deputy is extending the scope of his question.
I agree with a lot of what the Deputy said but I am not sure that I accept his estimate of the numbers involved. However, that is a different matter. A fair amount is being done and the situation has improved very considerably over the past few years. We must continue our efforts across a wide spectrum. The main focus of activity is in Congress where legislation is passed and so on. Many other things can be done and, as the Deputy is probably aware, things are being done in different cities by the city authorities. Help is also being given in some of the Catholic archdiocese by the services of the diocese and our diplomatic and consular service are fairly active in the interests of these young people. I am not attempting to suggest that everything is satisfactory but I ask him to accept that the Government are taking the situation seriously, working at it and doing everytihing they can when the opportunity arises.
While supporting the Taoiseach in every way in his efforts with the Administration and Congress in regard to the rules and regulations, I very strongly urge him to provide funding to the movement of the order of about $100,000, less than $1 for every Irish illegal immigrant there. Will he consider suport of that kind to provide services for our emigrants? The amount is very small and there would be unanimous support for making it available.
The money could be provided from the increase in the price of passports this year.
There is a request in for funding which is being considered at the moment and I will bear the Deputy's representations in mind.
Unfortunately, it did not figure in the budget.
There are other sources of funding available which we have mentioned to the movement and which we have encouraged them to explore.
New York City State has given $30,000. The least we could do is back it.