Bilateral deal for undocumented in US being reviewed

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has reiterated in the Dáil that the Government is reviewing the possibility of a bilateral agreement with the US for the estimated 25,000 undocumented Irish living there.

Mr Ahern also said however that there were a number of difficulties with the issue as he was pressed on the issue by Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny.

Mr Kenny called on the Taoiseach to agree a bilateral agreement and to use the opportunity of his address next year to both Houses of Congress in the US to highlight the matter.

"I would like that to mark the conclusion of the Taoiseach's address, whenever it is decided to arrange it," he said.

The Fine Gael leader referred to the agreed motion adopted unanimously in the Dáil last month "which referred to the establishment of reciprocal bilateral arrangements and the Government's strong commitment to continue engagement with the US administration and the Congress to resolve the difficulties experienced by the undocumented Irish".

He asked if there would be "much activity in producing any legislation required and discussions between Irish and US representatives both about the undocumented Irish and the terms of the motion in respect of agreed bilateral arrangements".

During the recent Dáil debate on the undocumented Irish, Government Chief Whip Tom Kitt said that the Government had consistently made it clear that if efforts to pass comprehensive reform legislation were unsuccessful, they would explore all possible alternative options. These options included a bilateral solution.

He pointed out that a number of bilateral possibilities had been advanced, including possible reciprocal initiatives for young people. There were also long-term non-immigrant opportunities for Irish people interested in working on a non-immigration basis in the US and for Americans interested in employment in Ireland.

Mr Kitt had also stressed that the details of the proposals and discussions would have a better prospect of success if dealt with in private.