Taoiseach Bertie Ahern [Ireland’s Prime Minister] should use the upcoming visit to Ireland by President Bush to press the case for legislation that would be helpful to the undocumented Irish in America. The call for the plight of the undocumented to be raised by Ahern during the two-day presidential visit next month came from Kerry TD [parliament member], and Fine Gael [Party] front bench member, Jimmy Deenihan.

"This should be a big issue when President Bush comes to Ireland," Deenihan said in a phone interview while campaigning for the upcoming Euro and local elections in Tralee.

Deenihan, who recently returned from a visit to the United States, said he had been made aware in the various U.S. cities he had visited that the undocumented Irish, many of them now long-term U.S. residents, were finding it impossible to travel back to Ireland.

"Irish people are finding it difficult even to get internal flights because of post-9/11 security and identification requirements," Deenihan, his party's spokesman on tourism, said. "And of course they are totally restricted when it comes to traveling back to Ireland for important family events such as funerals and weddings. It's a major problem."

Deenihan said that Ireland had been "very supportive" of America's efforts in the war against terrorism and in Iraq.

"We have allowed the use of Shannon [airport]. President Bush should reciprocate by looking very favorably on the Irish."

In stating this, Deenihan echoed a recent call from a fellow Dáil [Irish Parliament] member from County Clare.

James Breen, an independent, called for visas for the undocumented Irish as a quid pro quo for continued U.S. military use of Irish airspace and Shannon airport.

Breen said he knew many families who had loved ones in America who could not visit home because of their illegal status.

"Anyone who has been in the United States for five years and has held down a job should be allowed to stay legally in America and contribute to its economy," Breen said.

Deenihan was of the same view.

"The Irish government has recently taken up the plight of destitute Irish immigrants in England," he said. "But the government has not been working enough for the Irish in the United States who have been working and contributing to the U.S. economy."

Deenihan has been outspoken on the plight of the undocumented Irish since their situation began making headlines in the 1980s.

He said that he had long been disappointed that some Irish had not made proper use of Donnelly and Morrison visas [U.S. visa lottery program], and had stayed in Ireland even after winning them.

"I understand the difficulties in securing legislation on behalf of just one national group, but I do believe that you could again have a special program for the Irish," he said. "Many Irish are virtually imprisoned in America. This is the most important issue between Ireland and the United States right now."