Senator Edward Kennedy has told the Taoiseach that he remains committed to comprehensive immigration reform that would include a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, despite his failure to agree on new legislation with Republican senator John McCain.
Mr Kennedy's statement came hours after Bertie Ahern said he would be content with a smaller reform that would allow tens of thousands of Irish undocumented immigrants to work in the US and be allowed to travel to and from Ireland at will.
"What I would like to see is a Bill through in 2007 and it is fairly clear to the lobby groups and to everyone I speak to that we have to look at what we can get and what's achievable. And certainly the two issues that have been highlighted by the lobby groups here are the issues around work and around travel. That's where the Irish community are hurting most. There are broader immigration issues . . . and it may be difficult to see how the House and Senate can pass legislation in 2007 on that. I want to highlight what's important to us. Obviously, we'll go as far as we can but we have to be reasonable. If we try to go to the top of the hill and demand everything, we end up with nothing," Mr Ahern said.
Mr Kennedy said, however, that he remains committed to a reform Bill that would legalise most illegal immigrants, allow them to work in the US and open up the possibility of citizenship.
"I am strongly committed to comprehensive reform - reform that is going to secure our borders, is going to be enforceable here at home and is also going to permit those who have worked hard and played by the rules, pay a fine, to learn English, renew their work and get to the end of the line and move towards citizenship in the United States.
"I think those are the principles that President Bush has outlined. Those are the principles that basically the Republican members of the Senate have supported. I think that those principles will be the framework for the legislation which hopefully will be successful," he said.
Mr Kennedy said that, despite failing to draft legislation with Mr McCain, he is convinced that he can win bipartisan support for comprehensive legislation based on a Bill approved last year by the Senate Judiciary Committee.
"I don't minimise the complexities or difficulties but I am resolutely determined that we are going to pass it. I believe the president is and we will have a strong bipartisan Bill. I believe we have a good chance but it is going to be a battle. I don't think there is any question about it. We are in for the battle and are ready for the struggle and I believe we are going to be successful," he said.
Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton described Mr Kennedy as the Democratic Party's leader on immigration reform, adding that there was a great deal of "energy and momentum" behind reform.
House speaker Nancy Pelosi described legislation favoured by Mr Kennedy as the best basis for a compromise. "It's a good place to start and I hope it's where we end up as well," she said.