Deputy Pat the Cope Gallagher has highlighted the Irish undocumented with a delegation of Congress representatives on recent visit to Dáil Eireann.
The United States Congressional delegation was lead by Congressman Hal Rogers of Kentucky and consisted of six other Congress Representatives.
The Leas-Cheann Comhairle hosted the delegation on their recent visit to the Houses of the Oireachtas; in the course of the discussions Pat the Cope made the case for extending citizen rights and travel rights to the current undocumented Irish in the United States.
He said “It is an impossible situation for the many thousands of Irish Citizens, many of whom have spent all their working lives within the United States and are currently raising families there.”
Pat the Cope urged the Congressional delegation to use their influence within the US Government to make the case for the undocumented Irish and allow for a situation whereby their positions as residents of the US would be naturalised.
The delegation comprised of Congress Representatives from 5 American States who used the opportunity of their visit to see the benefits of the International Fund of Ireland which over the period since its foundation has invested over €450 million Euro in the island of Ireland.
The Delegation also expressed their views on Brexit, the Peace process and closer economic co operation between both countries. Numerous members of the delegation expressed support for the undocumented Irish and the precarious position which they find themselves in, many of whom had families and were bringing up children as American citizens.
The Leas-Cheann Comhairle thanked the Delegation for their continued interest in Irish affairs and the ever closer links between both countries.
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