Minister Andrews welcomes new US visas Bill

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. David Andrews T.D., welcomes the decision by the U.S. House of Representatives to adopt the Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Programme Bill and hopes that it will complete its passage through both Houses of Congress in the near future. The Bill provides that up to 4,000 non-immigrant visas a year may be issued to enable young people (up to 35 years of age) from Northern Ireland and the six border counties to spend up to three years in the U.S. developing job skills and getting work experience which can be put to the service of their own communities.

During his recent visit to the U.S. the Minister discussed the proposals in the Bill with its main sponsor in the House of representatives, Congressman Jim Walsh, Chairman of the Friends of Ireland, and indicated that he had instructed the Embassy in Washington to give the Bill its full support. The proposals were also among the issues which the Minister discussed with the New York - based Irish Immigration Working Committee.

The Minister greatly appreciates the efforts of Congressman Walsh and others in the Congress who are promoting this Bill. It is a further valuable contribution by the U.S. which underpins the peace process.Top