Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny today called for all-party support for a bilateral agreement on immigration between Ireland and the United States.
Speaking at a demonstration by families of Irish people living illegally in the United States outside the Dáil today, Mr Kenny said his party's proposal offered a reciprocal arrangement which would also benefit US citizens who want to work in Ireland.
Fine Gael Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs spokesperson, Michael Ring will propose a motion on the issue for debate in the Dáil tonight. Mr Ring said he was bringing forward the motion to pressure the Government into securing the bilateral agreement, which seeks to provide legal permits for an estimated 25,000-50,000 Irish emigrants working in the United States illegally.
Parents of undocumented Irish workers in the United States held placards outside the Dáil this afternoon calling on the Taoiseach to help pave the way for their children to return home for Christmas. Irish citizens living illegally there run the risk of failing to regain entry to the country once they leave.
"Fine Gael believes a bilateral agreement on immigration would encourage deeper economic and social ties between Ireland and the US and facilitate American citizens, including Irish diaspora, who wish to live and work in Ireland," Mr Ring said.
"It would also help regularise the status of the 25-50,000 undocumented Irish in the US who are under increasing pressure and fear of deportation," he added.
Mr Ring said the US bilateral agreement with Australia - which allows 10,000 Australians work in the United States annually, while US citizens are granted the same number of Australian visas in return - provided a precedent for the party's motion.