Other Questions
6. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will support the urgent need for the European Union to conduct a strategic re-assessment of its approach in Bosnia in view of the serious concerns raised by leading civil society activists in the country and the Bosnian community here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23098/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland, and indeed all 27 member states of the European Union, fully and firmly support Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU perspective as a future member state. It was with the intention of further strengthening its policy and its presence on the ground that the EU took the decision in July 2011 to establish a single, reinforced EU representative who would take a lead in supporting the country’s progress towards integration with the EU. Peter Sorensen took up the double-hatted role as EU Special Representative and head of the EU Delegation on 1 September 2011, with a four-year mandate. As we approach the halfway stage in that mandate it is appropriate that we look at the progress made and assess our strategic approach in Bosnia. There is no doubt that progress has been disappointing. There had been hope that the transformative power of EU accession and the attractiveness of membership of the European Union would encourage Bosnia’s leaders to make the painful reforms required to move towards accession. While there has been progress in some areas, there has been no agreement on implementing the European Court of Human Rights ruling on the Sejdi-Finci case. Failure to implement this ruling hurts the citizens of the country first and foremost.
I agree with the Deputy that now is the time for a comprehensive review of the EU’s engagement with Bosnia and Herzegovina. I believe this can best be done in the context of a review of the EU Special Representative’s mandate.
I thank the Tánaiste for his response and welcome his comments. He will be aware there is a strong and vibrant Bosnian community in Ireland. It is important to note that morale within that community is very low. There is much concern about the future of their fledgling state and country. The Bosnian state is coming out of a bloody and dreadful conflict where more than 100,000 people have been killed and it needs the complete attention of the European Union. Given that from July there will be a border with Bosnia when Croatia joins the European Union, it is essential that the challenges facing them are addressed, particularly the judgment to which the Minister referred. Essentially, there is a sectarian straitjacket in Bosnia where one must identify oneself as Bosniak, Croat or Serb in order to run for President or the Upper House. In other conflict resolution areas, such as Northern Ireland, at the very least one has the opportunity not to accept the label of Nationalist or Unionist. The fact that has not been moved on requires action. What steps will the Government take in the short time remaining of the Irish Presidency to advance the issue?
As the Deputy has said, Croatia will accede to the European Union on 1 July. Progress has also been made in respect of Serbia and Kosovo, and High Representative Ashton brokered a significant agreement between the two Prime Ministers a number of weeks ago which will allow for progress to be made on their accession. Progress has been made in respect of all the countries in the Balkans with the exception of Bosnia-Herzgovina. The aim of the European Union is to support and embed a stable and viable Bosnia-Herzegovina, co-operating with its neighbours and irreversibly on track towards EU membership. EU membership for Bosnia-Herzegovina is firmly tied to the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the country. The EU strategy towards Bosnia-Herzegovina was set out in the European Council conclusions in March 2011 and the successive reinforcing conclusions. Since September 2011, we have installed a reinforced and comprehensive presence in the country, combining the assets of the European Commission, the European External Action Service and the European Union Special Representative office, while the European Union military force, the EUFOR ALTHEA, remains present in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Great efforts have been made to encourage the political leaders of Bosnia-Herzgovina to move forward with reforms. Those reforms have not happened. There were hopes last year, following the agreement to form a government and the passing of two laws to move ahead with the stabilisation and association agreement, that Bosnia's leaders were at last putting the interests of the country first and doing what was required to move forward on EU accession.
There is the view among international observers and civil society representatives in Ireland that there is an unhealthy relationship between business leaders, political leaders and organised crime within Bosnia and that the elite which is running the country is not acting in the best interests of the broad citizenry. I ask the Tánaiste very specifically if he would be prepared to meet representatives of the Bosnian community in Ireland and listen to their concerns. The issues in Bosnia pale into insignificance the debates in this House in terms of the back and forth of politics because it is still a very fragile state. The community in Ireland, which has contributed so much, wants reassurance that the Irish Government is treating the conflict resolution issue and the Bosnian state as a priority.
May I ask the Tánaiste about another issue that has been brought to my attention by the Bosnian community, that is, the major difficulty for Bosnian farmers when Croatia accedes to the European Union on 1 July? Apparently, it is very dependent on that particular market to sell its products. The Bosnian community here will argue that in the partnership agreement to date with the European Union, Croatia has met the competences and the standards required. With the Single Market, I do not know whether a particular trading arrangement is feasible. It is an issue that should be raised if a community is living in very difficult circumstances where that important source of revenue is cut off, and perhaps some arrangement can be reached to try to soften that blow.
I am conscious that there is a significant Bosnian community in Ireland. I am always willing to meet people and discuss their concerns. I share the concern about what is not happening in Bosnia. Membership of the European Union and the process of accession is conditional on a country reaching certain standards in respect of its democracy, human rights issues and rule of law. These are critical values of the European Union on which we cannot compromise. The authorities in Bosnia-Herzegovina are aware of what they have to do to meet the standards required for European Union accession. There is a pathway, the stabilisation and association agreement, towards accession which addresses some of the economic and trading issues. The problem, however, is that sufficient progress is not being made in Bosnia on the reforms required in order for the accession process to be progressed. There are hopes that the accession of Croatia and the closer engagement with the European Union of other states in the Balkan region would encourage political leaders in Bosnia to move forward. Unfortunately, we have not seen that progress, and it is worrying. That is one of the reasons we need to have a renewed look at the European Union approach to the situation in Bosnia.
7. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of his Department staff, or staff from other Departments or agencies, that are seconded to the European External Action Service; the proposals there are to extend this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23198/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe European External Action Service, EEAS, is the European Union’s diplomatic service created to promote an EU-wide common foreign and security policy. It is staffed by officers from the European Commission, the EU Council Secretariat and the Foreign Ministries of EU member states, including my Department. The recruitment of diplomats from member states to serve in the EEAS enhances the links and interaction with the diplomatic services of the member states. Currently, six members of staff of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are on assignment to the EEAS. A seventh officer is due to take up a position with the service in early June 2013.
The Government is committed to ensuring Ireland is adequately represented in the EEAS and in all EU structures. My Department takes all reasonable steps to support the candidacies of Irish applicants for EEAS posts. Officers who are offered positions in the EEAS have been and will continue to be granted special leave for the duration of their assignments.
I thank the Tánaiste for his reply. I welcome the fact that officials from his Department are working in the European External Action Service. It is always important that there are Irish people working in the various institutions of the European Union. On a slightly different issue, following the accession of the ten countries in May 2004, recruitment to the EU institutions was confined largely to those new member states. This is a time when we want to renew more candidacies for positions within the European Union institutions.
Given that Ireland holds the Presidency of the Council, has the European Parliament raised with the Tánaiste its severe criticism of the European External Action Service?
It was described previously as totally ineffective in international relations. The Parliament questioned its large budget, which amounted to €449 million in 2012. It was very critical of that and in April of this year, the European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee called the service top-heavy and slow to react to crises and stated it is marked by too many decision-making layers. That parliamentary committee also stated the EAS is being poorly managed, saying it has become apparent the EU is unable to ensure in the short-term a reallocation of resources, including staff, to match new political priorities. Has that issue been raised with the Tánaiste in his dialogue with the Parliament? Is it an issue of concern? It is an EU institution and we want to see it work as effectively as possible on behalf of the EU.
On the numbers of Irish officers serving in the EAS, there are six diplomats, soon to be increased to seven, out of a total of 254. Our percentage is slightly higher than our overall proportion of the population at 2.4%. In addition, there are 43 Irish officials working in the European Union institutions who are also working in the EAS. That includes at the most senior level Mr. David O'Sullivan, who holds the post of chief operating officer of the service.
A review of the operation of the EAS is to take place this year but we must remember it is a new service which came into being only in 2010. There was a discussion at the informal Foreign Affairs Ministers' meeting held in Dublin in March about the service and we were aware of the comments made by the European Parliament about the service. As the review of the service proceeds, we will take those on board. It must be borne in mind that this is a new service and that it has huge potential. It is functioning at a time when a lot has been happening, particularly in the EU's neighbourhood: the Arab spring and the situation in the Middle East, the eastern partnership and the huge issues that must be addressed on the European Union's trade relationship with different parts of the world.
From my limited experience of dealing with European matters in the past, there is great value in having more and more Irish officials working in the different institutions of the EU and whatever can be done to expand that whenever possible would be beneficial for the country in the long term.
I agree. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade strongly supports Irish candidates who are seeking positions in European Union institutions. As the Deputy acknowledged earlier, there are now more member states, with a 28th state joining in July. We have done very well as a country in terms of senior positions and influential positions in the European Union apparatus and I hope that can continue. Irish officials who serve in the European institutions, including those who serve in the EAS, have a very good reputation and are highly regarded. We are proud of that and I pay tribute to the work our officials are doing in the Permanent Representation in Brussels during a very effective seventh Irish Presidency of the European Union. They are working hard and are a great team of people who have done us proud during this six month period.
8. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recent announcement by Israel that it intends to build nearly 300 new homes in the West Bank; his views on the way this will impact upon peace efforts in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23349/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI dealt in my earlier reply with the issue of settlement products as one response to the continuing destructive impact of settlements. Labelling of settlement goods, and possibly at a future stage a ban on settlement goods, can send a strong political and moral message. As I have stated before, however, we should not focus disproportionately on this one aspect. The key issue is the very existence of these settlements and their continual expansion. Every settlement expansion makes more difficult the issues which have to be resolved to achieve peace, and undermines belief that Israel is serious about a solution. Settlements are now also very close to making a Palestinian state, and thus a two state solution, physically impossible to achieve.
Specific settlement announcements can be misleading and the same proposal can be announced repeatedly at different stages in the planning process. The 300 units referred to by the Deputy were first announced last year to accommodate and supposedly compensate settlers who were finally obliged by a Supreme Court order to leave an illegal settlement outpost. The contrast between this case and the treatment of a Palestinian family evicted because the house they have lived in for 40 years did not have planning permission is striking and eloquent.
The tempo of settlement announcements has clearly quickened, however, in the past year or more, and the timing of many of these strongly suggests that they were intended to hinder efforts in the peace process.
With our EU partners, we are working on a range of issues and measures relating to settlements, including evictions and dispossessions, planning rules and master plans in Area C, water and other infrastructure issues, and the treatment of Bedouins and other vulnerable people. This is an area to which I will continue to pay the closest attention.
I thank the Tánaiste for that answer and welcome the sentiments in it. He said he would be in favour of a ban but said it is unlikely the European majority would row in behind that. I agree with the Tánaiste on that given there would be many large states in Europe that are not as neutral as Ireland. We have always prided ourselves on our neutrality and I wonder if the Tánaiste has considered the idea of expressing our sovereignty by going alone on this. The Tánaiste said he did not think it would be necessarily a great idea but it would emphasise our neutrality in the strongest manner.
It was interesting to see the Israeli human rights organisation B'Tselem concluding that most of the 167 Palestinians killed last November when Israel was bombing Gaza were civilians and that Israeli forces acted contrary to the laws of war. The reported missile attacks on Syria are also contrary to the laws of war and I wonder if the Tánaiste has expressed his disapproval of Israeli encroachments on Syria and if he has discussed this matter with the Israeli ambassador.
On goods from settlement areas, I do not think there is a realistic prospect of agreement on an EU-wide ban on settlement products. It is for that reason that I have concentrated our efforts on securing a labelling regime, and we are making progress on that at EU level. I hope it will be possible to agree a Europe-wide labelling arrangement. I am in discussions with other Departments about how such a labelling regime would operate in practice in Ireland.
The Deputy raised the issue of Gaza. We have continued to keep an international focus on the continuing problems of Gaza. While there was some easing of the blockade in recent years, it is far too little to allow the Gaza Strip to resume normal life. Economic activity remains almost moribund, leaving the population dependent on humanitarian assistance and smuggling controlled by militant groups.
We have made it clear, both to Israel and internationally, that the continuing restrictions in Gaza have no security justification and are unjust and counterproductive. I was glad to see some further easing of restrictions at the end of last year following the brief, but intensive, exchange of firing in November. These related to practical issues such as fishing limits and access to farmland near the border fence. They were small but important steps and they need to be developed and extended further. It is disappointing that some of these have been reversed after recent rocket firing from Gaza.
Has the Tánaiste expressed his disapproval with the Israeli ambassador to the incursions into the Syria? Even if the Israelis do not admit to those, would he strongly express the Government's disapproval of any future incursions that might be made into Syria by the Israeli military?
Am I correct in stating that 16,000 new settlement units have been either announced or approved over the past two years? Two days ago, there was a young Palestinian man in here. He came from Beit Ummar. He spoke in terms of the problems being encountered by his family and community between Hebron and Bethlehem. He was asking for help, and what the Irish people can do for his situation. He spoke of their fruit trees being cut down, of the difficulty encountered by those who go in to buy the fruit and to ship it to the market, and of raw sewage being poured over their crops. He stated that this was the norm in that part of the region. That should not be the norm in any part of the world. I would say the people in Israel would be as horrified as people anywhere else in the world at that. What is going on is not right for the Palestinians; it is not right for the Israeli people. Would the Tánaiste agree there is an onus on Ireland as an independent country to raise its voice in support of those suffering under this type of arrangement?
Israel has not acknowledged or claimed responsibility for the military attacks on Syria. It is believed that Israel is responsible. It is also believed that it may be due to the movement of weapons to Hezbollah which, in turn, would be used against Israel. As I have stated, the further militarisation of the conflict in Syria, including militarisation by the intervention by other states in a military fashion, should not be happening.
On the issue of what, at a practical level, we do to help with what Deputy Crowe described graphically, the big effort that we are making as a state is ensuring that this issue is not forgotten. There are so many different conflicts taking place, including conflicts in that region, that there is always a danger that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the requirements of the Middle East peace process drops down the list of priorities and the political agenda. I see it as my responsibility as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to ensure that the issue does not slip down the political agenda or the order of priorities within the European Union. We have worked, probably more than most, to keep that issue alive, to keep an EU focus on the necessity to work for a peace settlement, to highlight the illegality of the settlements and to keep a strong European Union focus on it, and we will continue to do that. As I stated earlier, I hope that we will discuss the issue fully at the June Foreign Affairs Council and by that stage, I would also hope that some further progress would have been made in efforts to get serious peace negotiations under way.
9. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of certificates of Irish heritage that have been issued by the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23196/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo date, 1,929 certificates of Irish heritage have been issued, approximately 60% in the US, 13% in Australia and 11% in Canada. With the vast majority of the global diaspora no longer eligible for Irish citizenship, the certificate of Irish heritage was introduced to recognise descendents of previous generations of Irish citizens in an official way and to give greater practical expression to the sense of Irish identity felt by many around the world.
Official recognition of our diaspora is an issue that is regularly raised by our overseas communities. The concept of a certificate of Irish heritage received new impetus following the 2009 publication of the strategic review of relations between Ireland and the United States. The review recommended exploring ways of encouraging and facilitating people to give expression to their Irish ancestry in order to maintain strong ties with such groups, both now and in the future. This proposal was also supported by participants at the 2009 Global Irish Economic Forum in Farmleigh.
Following a public tender in April 2010, Fexco was awarded the contract to operate the certificate of Irish heritage on behalf of the Department. Under the terms of the contract, Fexco developed the web systems and necessary software. Fexco also processes applications, issues certificates and is the initial point of contact for all customer inquiries.
Full details on the eligibility criteria are available on www.heritagecertificate.ie but, in general, applications are open to persons who were not born on the island of Ireland and who can provide details connecting them to an individual Irish ancestor. The website also provides a selection of stories from certificate recipients highlighting how important their Irish heritage is to them.
I thank the Tánaiste for his reply. It is a welcome development. As the Tánaiste stated in his reply, it was an issue that arose following the study in 2009 of the Irish-United States relationship and also an issue that was discussed at the first Global Irish Economic Forum in Farmleigh. Deputy Martin, then Minister for Foreign Affairs, spoke in 2010 about the idea of harnessing the Irish diaspora of 70 million people but there must be a connection back to our own island where it is not possible to give citizenship.
Am I correct in thinking that there were incentives planned originally to go with this certification, and is the Tánaiste happy that the self-declaration is adequate and does not diminish the status of an important document and of an important link between so many of Irish extraction living in Canada, Australia or the United States? Is he happy with the figure to date or did he expect a better take-up of this initiative?
I acknowledge the work that my predecessor, Deputy Martin, did on this issue and in bringing it forward.
When it was originally conceived, there were issues such as the idea of a tourist discount card which would be associated with it. The priority up to now has been to get the certificate of Irish heritage launched and up and running, and my Department is in discussion with other agencies on ways in which to develop that. However, it is important to note that holders of the certificate must consent to receiving communications from promotional companies etc.
It is relatively new. I believe it will grow as more people get to know about it. What happened here was a wish to provide a formal recognition of Irish ancestry and heritage for those who do not qualify for an Irish passport and citizenship. It is difficult to evaluate the demand in numerical terms. We are aware, for example, in the context of The Gathering, that there has been increased interest in it. Certainly, in cases where we have presented certificates of Irish heritage to well-known figures, such as former President Clinton and, recently, the actor Tom Cruise, it has attracted a great deal of attention and it is a way of promoting it.
Diaspora organisations have indicated there is a wish among many to have some formal recognition of Irish ancestry and I think that will grow in the course of time. It is important to have the facility available for people who wish to formally recognise their ancestry.
10. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Ireland’s diplomatic staff in America are undertaking any new and specific initiatives to support immigration reform in America. [23235/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra17. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he has had with advocacy groups on behalf of the undocumented Irish in the United States in regard to proposed immigration reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23180/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra25. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the contacts that he has had with key players on Capitol Hill in the US following the publication of the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23108/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra53. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the up-to-date position in relation to the possible extension of the E3 Visa Scheme with particular reference to the inclusion of Irish citizens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23202/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra55. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the discussions he has had in relation to the US Senate's Immigration Bill and the proposals he has for further discussion at political and official level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23178/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra61. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress regarding the provision for an E3 visa for Irish citizens following the publication of the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23109/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra66. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will outline the negotiations which he had recently had in the United States regarding the issue of the undocumented Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23106/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 10, 17, 25, 53, 55, 61 and 66 together.
A resolution of the position of 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 so-called E3 visa scheme to include Irish citizens. In this context, we very much welcome the publication last month of the US Senate’s Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Bill, which provides for reform of the US immigration system. The comprehensive draft legislation, which was drafted over several months by a bipartisan group of eight US Senators, includes provisions that would legalise the status of thousands 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.
The Bill is a very positive development. Its provisions, if adopted, would help end the great hardship and uncertainty faced by undocumented Irish in the United States and their families 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. Both of these issues were a key focus of the ongoing contacts undertaken by the Taoiseach and me with political leaders in the US, particularly during our visit to Washington DC for St. Patrick’s Day, when we discussed the prospects for progress with Ireland’s key friends on Capitol Hill and in the Administration. Since the publication of the Bill, the Government has maintained close contact with the key players through our embassy in Washington.
It is important to recall that the overall issues involved are complex and sensitive within the US political system and that much further debate is likely to be required before the final shape of any overall legislation becomes clear. Our embassy in Washington continues to closely follow developments and lobby as necessary, in keeping with the approach we have adopted over many years in our pursuit of a resolution of the position of undocumented Irish people in the United States. I reiterate my appreciation for the active support we continue to receive from a number of Irish community organisations, including the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, the Chicago Celts for Immigration Reform and the Ancient Order of Hibernians.
The issue is fluid and seems to be changing by the hour. It seems we are at a crucial time for the deal, with the consequences to be felt by a possible 50,000 undocumented Irish living in the US. Two Republican Senators have made a major effort to strip or gut 10,500 visas from the Irish allocation on Tuesday. There are other countries mentioned in the Bill as having special country status, including South Korea, Canada and Poland, and Australia has been granted 10,000 E3 visas every year since 2005. Is there any reason for the focus on the Irish in the Bill? If it is sensitive information, I do not really need to hear that response.
What can we do in the House to support this legislation? I may have asked the question before. The Minister mentioned there is ongoing lobbying, including this weekend, by the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform across Capitol Hill. What can we do to complement this, as practically every Deputy is supportive of these measures? Could we collectively put our heads together as a House to arrange a visit to the United States and actively lobby not just the usual suspects but also the unusual people who may not be seen as friends of Ireland or may not have a connection to this country? Perhaps they could be swayed by our collective argument.
As we have mentioned previously, this is an extremely important issue because many families in this country want to be able to see family members return from the US. Many undocumented Irish are in a difficult position because they do not have papers. I urge the Tánaiste, his Department and the embassy in the US to continue to lobby at every political and official level to ensure this piece of Senate legislation can get through Congress as soon as possible. The officials at the foreign affairs committee were reasonably confident of progress being made in the relatively near future and we should hope that can be achieved. This is of utmost importance to so many Irish people living in the United States and their families in Ireland.
This is an important piece of legislation. It will deal with the immensely difficult set of circumstances facing approximately 50,000 undocumented Irish in the US over a long time. The Bill will introduce a three-stage process for these people. Those who were in the US before 31 December 2011 and have remained since will become registered provisional immigrant, RPIs, which will allow them to work and travel in and out of the United States. That takes in a ten-year period, with a further adjustment after that to lawful permanent residence - the green card - and after a further three years, they may apply for citizenship if they wish to. It is a clear pathway. Under the Bill, there will be E3 visas available for new Irish immigrants to the US, who can work for up to two years.
It is not the case that the Irish interest in this has been targeted in some way, but immigration is a controversial issue in the US, and 300 amendments to the Bill have been tabled. I met people on Capitol Hill when I was there over the St. Patrick's Day period who told me it is not a question of what happens on Capitol Hill, in the Senate or in the House of Representatives but what happens on chat shows and radio talk shows when it becomes a wider political issue. The Deputy asked what could be done to help. We are very much on top of the matter. I am in regular contact with key people promoting the legislation and the Taoiseach and I spoke with leaders in the US when we were there. The embassy in Washington is also very much on top of this.
I know Members of this House on all sides have contacts of one kind or another with different political parties in the United States, and now is the time to use that in a positive way. We should use those links to promote what we want to achieve. In doing so, we must be sensitive to the political reality that immigration in the United States is a sensitive political issue, as it is here or anywhere else in Europe. We must be aware of that sensitivity in promoting our case because this is the first big break in the issue. We have always stated that comprehensive immigration reform was the way to resolve the problem of the undocumented Irish and there is now a Bill that I am anxious to see pass. This involves real politics and members of the House of Representatives and the Senate are subject to lobbying of various kinds as well as public comment. We are lobbying our case and we should use any contacts we have to further it.
