Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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51. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of the commitment in the Programme for Government 2025 to "advocating with the US Administration and Capitol Hill" for the Undocumented Irish, the actions the Government has taken since the reintroduction of the E-3 Visa Bill to advocate for its approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8416/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Addressing the situation of undocumented Irish emigrants in the United States, and working to secure legal pathways for Irish people seeking to live and work in the US will continue to be a priority for the Government as set out in the new Programme for Government. Efforts to advance have been made with successive US administrations, and this work will continue with the incoming US administration, including at high level political engagements in Washington DC over the St Patrick's Day period.

Our diplomatic network across the US are working closely with a number of partner organisations and immigration centres supporting Irish immigrants to the US, in particular to our community of undocumented to offer general support and legal advice where appropriate. These organisations are provided financial support under the Government’s Emigrant Support Programme.

In parallel, the Government remains very supportive of the efforts to secure an Irish specific E3 visa programme. This would open up a new legal pathway for more Irish citizens to live and work in the US, however it is unlikely that undocumented Irish currently in the US would be eligible for such a programme, if secured. The recent introduction of a bill seeking to add Ireland to the E3 non-immigrant visa program by Congressman Richard Neal and Congressman Mike Kelly, the bipartisan co-Chairs of the Friends of Ireland Caucus in February 2025 has been a welcome development. However, the challenges this bill is likely to face to secure agreement should not be underestimated. Almost every U.S. legislative proposal related to immigration reform in the last decade has stalled in Congress. Nonetheless, we continue to take all opportunities to develop immigration pathways for Irish people who wish to live and work in the United States.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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52. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade in view of the lack of progress with the E-3 Visa Bill in the US legislative process, the diplomatic strategies that are being pursued to strongly advocate for its passage through Congress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8417/25]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Addressing the situation of undocumented Irish emigrants in the United States, and working to secure legal pathways for Irish people seeking to live and work in the US will continue to be a priority for the Government. Efforts to advance have been made with successive US administrations, and this work will continue with the incoming US administration, including at high level political engagements in Washington DC over the St Patrick's Day period.

In February 2025, Congressman Richard Neal and Congressman Mike Kelly, the bipartisan co-Chairs of the Friends of Ireland Caucus introduced a bill seeking to add Ireland to the E3 non-immigrant visa program. This is a welcome development, and the Irish Embassy in Washington DC will continue to engage with key Congressional contacts on the proposed legislation.

While the Government has continued to support efforts to get an ‘Irish specific’ category of E3 visa, the challenges to enacting such legislation should not be underestimated. Almost every U.S. legislative proposal related to immigration reform in the last decade has stalled in Congress. Nonetheless, we continue to take all opportunities to develop immigration pathways for Irish people who wish to live and work in the United States.