Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has backed a Fine Gael call for an all-island delegation of politicians to go to the US to lobby on behalf of undocumented Irish immigrants. Mr Ahern said he had "no difficulty with the all-party group. It is helpful. Anything that makes our case is welcome."
He told Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, who raised the issue, that "we can decide how best to put forward a delegation through our committee" and said that "any effort we can make to keep the Irish case on the table is of great help".
Two different immigration Bills from the US Senate and House of Representatives are to be discussed at a conference on June 28th and Mr Kenny said "it would be helpful if the Government perhaps through the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs, sent representatives of all parties and none, in an all-island delegation. The SDLP could be included if necessary, or any other party".
Mr Ahern said there had been a great deal of discussion and lobbying about how the two quite different Bills could be brought together.
"Effort is needed to get the decision made quickly," otherwise "it will be put off into the autumn and the mid-term elections, which could force the legislation into next year".
The Minister for Foreign Affairs was told "that as the politics play out in this, we need to work closely with those watching the day-to-day activity".
Mr Kenny said such a delegation "could have a focused lobbying and information conversation with the nominated members of the House of Representatives and the Senate".
He added that "this would be helpful in demonstrating that the undocumented Irish are of no danger to the US economy or its security. An all-island presentation to the nominated members would be very helpful".
