Kelly Speaks Out on Undocumented

"The Irish government has a responsibility to be up front in order to make sure that these people can make life decisions on the work that is done, and I don't think that false promises will help anyone," he feels.O

n the recent announcement of the 20,000 new Irish and American student visa program commencing soon, Kelly said, "It was very welcome but I hope that is not it." He said he hopes there is much more going on in the background "so we can regularize this situation for these people."

Looking ahead to a new administration that will take over the White House in January, Kelly said that he feels the Irish government will need to take swift action.

"The government will need to redouble its efforts to try and get in place a model which parallels with what Australia has achieved and other similar countries," he said.

Not convinced that every avenue has been explored, Kelly said that a strong collaboration is necessary with the lobbyists on the ground in the U.S. such as the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform (ILIR).

"I will be pushing for the government to redouble their efforts now to achieve some kind of success in years to come. I think there is a great opportunity with a new administration now. It's essential the communication between both sides at the very beginning of a new administration is open," said Kelly, who successfully contested the Labor nomination to be the party's candidate in the European elections for the constituency of Ireland South next year.

Kelly feels a sit down between the Irish government and the new White House administration in the New Year is paramount in order to set out some kind of plan for alleviating the "human issue" that is affecting so many of his fellow Irish natives.

"I do believe there is good will within the U.S. for a solution to a degree. It just needs to find the right formula in order to achieve that," he said.

Kelly said the Labor Party spokesperson on foreign affairs, Michael D. Higgins, and party leader Eamonn Gilmore have broached the subject of the Irish undocumented many times before and will continue to do so in the coming years and moths. "The issue touches everyone, and now time is of the essence to try and find a solution," he said.

Kelly, who worked with Board Failte for nine years prior to starting his political career, said ILIR would be very welcome at the Oireachtas to educate the government on the issue of the Irish undocumented.

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Nster.com