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Gnáthamharc

Undocumented Irish

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 October 2010

Tuesday, 12 October 2010

Ceisteanna (57)

Paul Connaughton

Ceist:

115 Deputy Paul Connaughton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding the undocumented Irish in the United States; the official contact he and other relevant Ministers have had with the U.S. administration in the past three months regarding this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34663/10]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Finding a solution for our undocumented citizens in the United States remains an important priority for this Government. The Government is also committed to working with our friends in Congress to enhance Ireland's bilateral visa arrangements with the US through the establishment of an E-3 type reciprocal visa facility. This would be a two year renewable working visa scheme. In addition, I look forward to the continued development of the new working holiday programme. I am very much aware of the difficulties confronting undocumented Irish citizens in the United States and the distress which both they and their families in the US and Ireland experience arising from their situation. I would urge anybody who might be tempted to follow in the footsteps of the undocumented to take account of their plight.

My Department, and the Embassy in Washington in particular, continues to work proactively with the US Administration, Congressional leaders and Irish immigration reform advocates, to make positive progress on this important issue. Immigration reform legislation requires the approval of both Houses of Congress in the US — it is not merely a matter of bilateral engagement between the two Governments.

Immigration reform is a very sensitive political issue. Most recently, in September, the Congress considered a bill concerning young people brought to the United States by their elders and who remain undocumented. That bill [the so-called DREAM Act] failed to advance in the Senate when the bill to which it was attached did not achieve sufficient votes.

President Obama has repeatedly reiterated his commitment to resolving this issue, urging Congress to "work together to fix our broken immigration system". In his comprehensive speech on the issue delivered in Washington in July, he signalled his willingness to move forward and shape a "practical, common-sense approach".

Earlier in the year, President Obama welcomed what he described as the strong outline proposal for reform presented at the end of April by senior Democratic Senators Harry Reid, Charles Schumer, and Robert Menendez. Following active engagement with our friends in Congress, this proposal, based on previous bi-partisan co-operation, included provision for a path towards the regularisation of the status of the undocumented, including the Irish. The outline proposal also specifically included provision for an E-3 visa arrangement for Irish citizens.

On 30 September, prior to the current Congressional recess, Senator Robert Menendez published an immigration reform bill that includes an E-3 provision for Ireland. Although the publication of this bill is only the first step in a long process, the inclusion of an E-3 scheme at this stage is an important achievement for the Government and the Irish community. While I am encouraged by these developments, very considerable political challenges remain, particularly in an election year.

The Government will continue to maintain very close contact with the US Administration and Congress, as well as with Irish community advocates, to address this issue in the period ahead. We are also providing practical assistance to support the efforts of organisations working for emigrant reform in the US. Emigrant Support Programme funding of $40,000 was allocated to Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform in 2010 to support their activities, taking their total ESP funding since 2006 to $325,000. Funding of $10,000 was also allocated in 2010 to the Chicago Celts for Immigration Reform bringing the total received by that organisation to $20,000.

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