asked the Taoiseach the groups, organisations and individuals he met during his visit to the United States; the general topics discussed; in the light of his decisions, if any new measures are expected to be taken to assist the plight of out-of-status Irish in the United States; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

2.

asked the Taoiseach if he will make a statement on the outcome of his recent visit to the United States.

A Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.

It is not the practice to make statements on brief working visits of this type. I would, however, like to take the opportunity afforded by these questions to tell the Dáil how encouraged I was at the favourable view taken in the United States of prospects for the economy here, for changes in the immigration laws and by the great volume of sympathy and support there is for the Irish people in their desire to bring peace and justice to Northern Ireland.

During the visit, one of my main priorities was to assess at first hand the present situation of Irish emigrants in the US and how our efforts on their behalf are progressing. I had meetings with the Immigration Working Committees under the aegis of the Consulates-General in both New York and Boston, as well as discussions with Senator Edward Kennedy who, together with Senator Simpson and Congressmen Donnelly and Schumer, have brought forward legislative proposals to reform the immigration laws. There is every chance that this legislation will be enacted this year. It would represent a considerable improvement in the position of young Irish people working in the US. I availed of every opportunity during my visit to urge the Irish-American community to use their influence to have the legislation successfully enacted. In meetings which I had with Cardinal O'Connor of New York and Cardinal Law of Boston, this issue was at the centre of our mutual concerns. I regard the discussions I had on this subject as very useful and constructive.

The promotion of the financial services centre, industrial investment and tourism were among my principal concerns in my meetings with US and Irish-American businessmen and in media interviews which I gave. Again here, I found the discussions extremely useful and potentially of great benefit to Ireland.

On Northern Ireland, I availed of my visit to reiterate a number of important features of Government policy. I reiterated again the Government's adherence to the Anglo-Irish Agreement to which, as an international accord, they are fully committed to working as part of the process for funding peace, stability and reconciliation in Ireland.

In short, I took the opportunity afforded by the visit to bring to attention in the US, across a wide spectrum of opinion, the main priorities and concerns of the Irish Government at this time, I regard the visit as having been very satisfactory and successful.

Will the Taoiseach indicate the extent to which the proposed legislation with regard to Irish emigrants will, in fact, protect those already in the United States and out of status? Will the legislation deal with areas such as medical care and support while these people are out of work and so forth? Also, will the Taoiseach clarify to the House his attitude with regard to Northern Ireland, in view of the confusion that appears to have been created by some of the statements which he made in the United States? Does he consider that the Anglo-Irish Agreement is now a long-term agreement and not one simply to be set aside at the earliest opportunity?

May I dissuade the Deputy from asking a series of questions?

I am trying to save the time of the House.

I would ask the Deputy to be brief and precise.

I am attempting to be brief, a Ceann Comhairle. In relation to the Anglo-Irish Agreement, what is the attitude of the Taoiseach now to the question of devolved government in Northern Ireland? He seems to be implying, in reports of his speeches, that he no longer sees that as a viable option for Northern Ireland. Will he clarify, finally——

Please, Deputy, please.

Finally, will he clarify what he means by the term "outside or transcending the framework of Northern Ireland"? Does he consider——

The Deputy seems to be embarking on a speech strung together by a series of questions.

I must protest.

Please, Deputy De Rossa.

I am trying to assist the House by explaining as clearly as I can the questions I have to ask.

I am sure the Deputy has made his point.

Let me just complete my final question. Does the Taoiseach consider now that there is no possible option for a solution based on an internal arrangement within Northern Ireland?

I think the only part of the Deputy's question which I understand is his question about young Irish people who are out of status in the United States.

That has been evident over the last week.

I want to assure the Deputy that a considerable amount of progress has been made in that regard. The Kennedy Bill, which has gone through the Senate and a counterpart of which is now before the House of Representatives, would greatly improve the position of many young Irish people. There is, of course, the proviso that applications for visas under it would have to be made from here. I do not think that would be a difficulty for most of these people. Apart from that, there is some political movement on at the moment to bring forward the date of the amnesty. It is difficult to ascertain or assess what success that might have. One of the main matters on which I was concentrating when over there was on the work on the ground which is taking place on behalf of these young people, particularly in New York and Boston where there is a great deal going on, through the Catholic Archdiocesan charities and through the city administrations and by means of the work of our own consulates.