By Cahir O’Doherty

CONGRESSMAN Richard E. Neal, chairman of the Friends of Ireland group in the House, led a bipartisan delegation of members of Congress to Dublin, Belfast and London last week to underline U.S. support for the peace process in Northern Ireland.

The delegation also had an opportunity to talk to the political leaders in the Republic about the issue of immigration reform.

Speaking to The Voice on Tuesday Neal said, “I was very pleased to see that more than 1,500 people participated in the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform’s (ILIR) rally in Dublin last weekend. It is another reminder of how closely the people of Ireland are following the debate over immigration reform here in the United States Congress.

“And it is an indication of how effective the ILIR has been on both sides of the Atlantic in raising awareness about the challenges facing the undocumented Irish living in America. In fact, the turnout and enthusiasm of the participants reminded me of the ILIR events I have attended in Washington, DC.”

Neal spoke about his concern for undocumented Irish people living in the U.S. who are currently unable to reunite with their families, and he indicated that he believed there was renewed political will to see an immigration reform bill passed.

“During my recent visit to Ireland, it was clear that political leaders on the island are united in their support for comprehensive immigration reform,” Neal said.

“I had an opportunity to discuss the issue directly with Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Bertie Ahern and Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern and was struck by their compassion for the 50,000 Irish now living and working in the U.S. They are committed to seeing this issue resolved favorably and in an expeditious manner. They want to see Irish families reunited. As a supporter of comprehensive immigration reform, I happy to join them in this important endeavor.”

Meanwhile, with the power-sharing government expected to be restored in Northern Ireland on May 8, the U.S. delegation met with not only with Bertie Ahern, but British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Democratic Unionist Party leader Ian Paisley and Sinn Fein’s chief negotiator Martin McGuinness.

“As the first U.S. delegation to travel to Belfast after the historic agreement between Ian Paisley and Gerry Adams, our objective was to reinforce bipartisan support for the peace process,” Neal said.

The Congressman added: “We want to personally congratulate Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern on their extraordinary leadership. Our delegation assured all the British and Irish political leaders that the U.S. Congress will remain engaged in Northern Irish politics long after power-sharing is restored on May 8. We want to see a future of peace, equality and prosperity for all.”

The delegation included Congressman Jim Walsh (R-NY), Congressman Joe Crowley (D-NY), Con-gressman Brian Higgins (D-NY),Congresswoman

Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), Congressman Mike Doyle (D-PA), Congressman Jerry Costello (D-IL), Congressman Tim Holden

(D-PA), Congressman Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) and Congressman Tim Murphy (R-PA).