Friday, July 18, 2008

Cowen ushers in new era for Irish America

Irish Taoiseach Brian Cowen ushered in a new era in Irish- American relations in New York last night with a rousing speech which underlined his commitment to solving the Irish immigration issue. Mr Cowen, (pictured here with ILIR vice-chairman Ciaran Staunton) said: "It's a priority for our administration to try and sort this out."

Taoiseach signals new campaign on illegals
Irish Times, Ireland - 15 hours ago
THE TAOISEACH, Brian Cowen, yesterday signalled that the Government would be launching a new drive to resolve the issue of the undocumented Irish in the US. ..


Cowen 'more genuine in commitment to illegal Irish'
Irish Independent, Ireland - 9 hours ago
The Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform in the US says it believes Brian Cowen is more genuine in his commitment to helping illegal Irish immigrants than his ...

Cowen in visa bid to resolve emigrant plight
Irish Independent, Ireland - 12 hours ago
By Fionnan Sheahan in New York TAOISEACH Brian Cowen wants to grant more visas to Americans to come to Ireland as a way to resolve the plight of illegal ...

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Same old talk just a different guy talking it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11

Anonymous said...

Thanks to the Taoiseach for coming and actually getting involved at this level of talks with the ILIR. If Ireland gives 50,000 visas to America will America give 50,000 visas to the illegal\undocumented Irish? A fair exchange is no robbery...........

Anonymous said...

No, Ireland gives 50,000 visas to Americans currently living out of status in Ireland. Now that's fair.

Anonymous said...

I have read the articles and hope that they will do something to help but the newspapers at home are saying that people will have to return to Ireland to in order to apply for visas.

Anonymous said...

I don't know maybe i'm being negative? But this sounds all too familiar. Same promises dressed up a little different. I can't see where Ireland's bargaining chip is. I don't think Americans are in any rush to work in another country, especially one that will result in getting a pay cut. And a hefty cost of living burden.

A large majority of Americans who could command a good wage in Ireland generally are older and settled in the states. Younger graduates, single usually, with few roots would likely be the primary users of such a visa. But are unlikely to be able to afford taking a break from usually substantial college debt. Who does that leave? I don't know.

This needs to be resolved soon. It is taking a heavy toll on un-documented Irish here. And to those who say leave, wish it was that easy. Relationships i have here and job skills that can't be moved to Ireland give me no other option but to stay here. We need honesty, truth and importantly a realistic time frame for what is being done by our representatives at home. It is the least they can do.

Anonymous said...

face plant you should change your name to "narrow mind". Is it fair that ireland has only two main airport's in ireland and the US army has tookin over one of them for the last 5 or 6 year's ???.

There is not 50,000 americans out of status in ireland. Because the irish immigration law's are not BROKEN.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous (...show yer face)

There is not 50,000 americans out of status in ireland. Because the irish immigration laws are not BROKEN... by courteous, respectful Americans the way US immigration laws are broken by discourteous. disrespectful Irish nationals. It's in the Irish character to break the law - what more can I say.

Anonymous said...

Highland radio's news headlines last Friday stated that the Taoiseach said he will not be able to do anything this year regarding immigration. Both parties in the US do not want to touch such a hot topic in this election year.
So what do people do until then?
As for me I will keep posting, e-mailing, phoning and telling people of the importance of fixing a system that clearly is broken.
A very good point was made by a poster regarding the airports in Ireland, Ireland is helping out America with the war on terror by letting them use Shannon airport. As for face plant, what point are you trying to make?

Anonymous said...

Anonymous (...show yer face)

There is not 50,000 americans out of status in ireland. Because the irish immigration laws are not BROKEN... by courteous, respectful Americans the way US immigration laws are broken by discourteous. disrespectful Irish nationals. It's in the Irish character to break the law - what more can I say.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous (...show yer face)

There is not 50,000 americans out of status in ireland. Because the irish immigration laws are not BROKEN... by courteous, respectful Americans the way US immigration laws are broken by discourteous. disrespectful Irish nationals. It's in the Irish character to break the law - what more can I say.

Anonymous said...

Face plant seems to be stirring the pot.
What more can he/she/it say ..... hopefully nothing.
Historically The Irish have been upholding the law in this country for hundreds of years.

Anonymous said...

"It's in the Irish character to break the law" good lord where do i start!! A certain country has broken numerous international laws, many far more serious than overstaying a visa.

Face plant i know you are only stirring the pot but for enlightened, intelligent readers, Irish immigration laws have a provision to emmigrate there by all nationalities if you meet the realistic provisions, U.S. laws do not. Hence why almost everybody, including your President believe they are broken.

Using the term broken for the U.S. system is accurate for Ireland completely incorrect.

Anonymous said...

The topic is about Immigration reform, not petty comments that are trying to provoke a reaction.
The question I asked was would it be fair to have an agreement between Ireland and America, whereby, each country allocates a certain number of visas for the other? But start with the illegal\undocumented Irish that are here already - a visa not AMNESTY. A visa to travel and contribute to this country that we now call home, America.
Thank you for reading. Boston MA

John Barry said...

In November 2007 FG introduced a private members motion in the Dail seeking a bilateral agreement between Ireland and the US. It was based on the Australian-US model. This allows 10,000 Australians work in the US annually while US citizens are granted the same number of Australian visas in return.