Minister Dermot Ahern To Meet Emigrant Groups in New York and Boston

The Minister today commences a week-long visit to the US by meeting with emigrant organisations in New York. He will also visit the New York Irish Centre in Long Island City. Minister Ahern will also meet emigrant groups in Boston.

The Minister said: “My visit this week to New York and Boston comes at an increasingly critical time as the legislative debate on this issue is entering an important phase. In addition to my visit to New York and Boston, I expect to travel to Washington in a matter of weeks to underpin the Irish Government's campaign on behalf of the undocumented Irish.”

“The McCain/Kennedy immigration reform bill is of particular interest to our undocumented community. This important and positive initiative of Senators McCain and Kennedy in the US Senate, mirrored by Representatives Kolbe, Flake and Gutierrez in the House of Representatives would enable undocumented Irish people to participate in the life of their adopted country, free from fear and uncertainty.”

“We all appreciate that since 9/11 there has been a dramatic change in the security climate in the U.S. Tighter border security measures, being unable to travel home for fear of being refused re-entry, and difficulties in obtaining driving licenses all serve to increase the pressure on undocumented Irish, who are effectively living in a kind of twilight zone. We don't want our people marginalised any further.  Together with their families here at home, they are increasingly feeling under strain.”

“Emigration has always had a central place in the Irish experience. As a result, we are not so far removed from our past that we are willing to turn a blind eye to our loved ones and emigrants who now find themselves in unfortunate and difficult circumstances.”

“We have set up a dedicated unit within my Department focussed entirely on matters relating to the Irish Abroad.  It is helping to drive progress on the range of issues addressed in the most valuable Task Force Report on Emigrants.  A further reflection of the extent of the Government's commitment is clear from the substantially increased funding to groups supporting our vulnerable community abroad.  Funding is now more than eight times greater than it was in 1997.”

ENDS+++

30 October 2005