Dermot Ahern Continues Push To Legalise US Irish

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern TD, said today that the months ahead will prove vital in securing comprehensive reform for the undocumented Irish in the United States.

The Minister said since the mid term elections he had renewed contact with a number of key US Congressional figures and raised with them the issue of the undocumented Irish. 

The Minister said: “I will continue my active contacts with other key Members of the incoming Congress in the period ahead. Embassy and Consular staff in the United States will continue to lobby hard for an acceptable solution to the difficulties faced by the undocumented Irish.”

Minister Ahern said the Government has the welfare of the undocumented Irish as a priority. He said he had travelled to the US over 16 times, raising the issue on each occasion with key contacts, including Senators Kennedy and McCain who have been responsible for a reforming Bill in the US Senate. Minister Ahern has just returned from New York where he met Irish lobby groups, including the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform.

The Government has provided $85,000 to assist the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform (ILIR). “This has enabled them to become an effective voice for the Irish undocumented throughout the United States. ILIR have ensured that the Irish dimension to this issue is understood in the US and I have been happy to support them in this.” 

ENDS +++
22 November 2006
Press Office