I would like to ask the Taoiseach whether he met the Irish Immigration Reform Movement and, if so, what transpired?

I met them twice, in New York and Boston.

A Cheann Comhairle——

Deputy John Bruton has offered. I will call Deputy O'Malley shortly.

I understand Deputy Spring's concern because I think that is one of the most urgent and crucial issues in Irish America today and I was very glad to have had the opportunity to have a great deal of constructive discussion about it. As I say, I had discussions with Cardinal O'Connor, Cardinal Law, Mayor Flynn, Senator Kennedy, Congressman Donnelly and those young people who are now members of the Irish Immigration Reform Movement. My talks with them were very friendly, amicable and constructive.

In view of the short time left in the duration of the present Congress could the Taoiseach tell us whether he had discussions on a bipartisan basis with both major parties in the United States Congress in regard to the expedition of the immigration legislation or whether his contacts were simply confined to one of the two parties?

I did meet some Republican representatives but they were not at federal level. They were at local level.

That is not relevant. Is it not the case that the legislation must be passed by Congress, which is a federal institution, and if the Taoiseach is to have any meaningful opportunity to press this matter forward his discussions must take place on a bipartisan basis in view of the short time available? Could the Taoiseach name any of the Republicans he met?

The embassy is in constant contact with all sections——

I asked about the Taoiseach's interventions.

I was not in Washington. It is very difficult to make contact with any leading Irish American politician at present because the elections are taking place and everybody is fully involved but I can assure the Deputy——

Are there no Republicans in the state of New York?

Let us hear the Taoiseach's reply.

I told the Deputy that I met Republicans at state level and he told me that that was not relevant. The Deputy should make up his mind about what he wants to hear.

I asked the Taoiseach whether he met representatives from New York at federal level.

There is no need for this to lead to disorder. If there are no further questions I propose to pass on to another question.

Obviously, the Taoiseach has a one sided approach to this issue as he has on many others.

Could I ask the Taoiseach——

A Cheann Comhairle, let me reply to that by saying that this Government have taken a very positive and active interest in the position of the young Irish immigrants in the United States and are not ignoring them in the way the Government of which Deputy Bruton was a member did.

We know how to do business on Capitol Hill.

Let me add that not one single penny has been spent in the United States on their welfare, unfortunately, but the point which I want to put to the Taoiseach is this. In view of the Taoiseach's optimistic view of the legislation concerned which is now in the House of Representatives, has he taken into account a report which appeared in today's newspapers in which a spokesman for the State Department is quoted as saying it will not be possible under the legislation for Irish immigrants who are in the United States illegally to apply there and that it will be necessary for them to apply here in Ireland? Does he appreciate that it will cause enormous problems for them if they have to come back here to be interviewed when perhaps they will have little chance of getting back into the United States?

If the Deputy knew anything about the situation or took any interest in it he would know that that is a very unhelpful remark and question to put. I have already mentioned that if the legislation goes through, which looks likely, it will be necessary for persons to apply from their own home state but I also said that in my view that would not necessarily cause difficulties for most of these young people.

Ceist 3.

A Cheann Comhairle——

I have passed on to the next question.