Sir, – Your report on Minister for Foreign Affairs Eamon Gilmore's last question time in the Dáil as leader of the Labour Party highlighted his concern for the plight of the Irish undocumented in the US ("US perceives need for immigration reform, says Tánaiste", July 3rd).
While it is vital that the Government advocates for the rights of the undocumented in the United States, it is astounding to do so while ignoring the many undocumented migrants, including families and children, living and working right here in Ireland.
For three years, this Government has sat on proposals for the introduction of a straightforward and pragmatic earned regularisation scheme in Ireland. Such a scheme would give undocumented people the opportunity to come forward and earn their way to permanent residency through working, paying taxes and contributing to the community. It is almost identical to the US proposals which have received such strong support from the Irish Government.
Surely the Government cannot expect their efforts in the US to be taken seriously if they do not act to address the same situation at home? – Yours, etc,
EDEL McGINLEY,
Director,
Migrant Rights
Centre Ireland,
Dame Street, Dublin 2.