By April Drew

TAOISEACH (Prime Minister) Bertie Ahern, in Washington, D.C. and New York last week for St. Patrick’s celebrations, said he is looking forward to working with Senator Ted Kennedy and President George W. Bush to promote passage of a comprehensive immigration bill that would secure legal status for an estimated 50,000 undocumented Irish citizens currently living in the U.S.

Speaking at the annual St. Patrick’s Day luncheon hosted by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Capitol Hill on Thursday, Ahern stated he is anxious to see an immigration bill go through in 2007.

When asked if he thinks a bill should include a path to citizenship he said, “It’s fairly clear to the lobby groups and everyone I speak to that we have to look at what we can get and what’s achievable.”

He said the two issues that have been highlighted by the Irish lobby groups in the U.S. are the issues around work and travel. “That’s where the Irish community is hurting most,” he said.

After a closed door meeting between Ahern and Kennedy, they spoke to reporters and Kennedy reiterated his commitment to passing a comprehensive immigration reform bill this year.

He said that by re-introducing the version of Kennedy/McCain that passed the U.S. Senate with 64 votes last year, it will “expedite the process.”

“It’s basically the legalization that came out of our committee, and those who know the U.S. Senate know that you have a more rapid opportunity for advancement if you use legalization that has effectively passed already rather than introducing a new one,” he said explaining that if the Senate were to start off with a new proposal it would come under far greater scrutiny. Kennedy had originally planned on introducing new legislation, co-authored by Senator John McCain.

“I think the bill we passed last year states very clearly what the sentiment is here among Republicans and Democrats, and the legalization I support is very close to the legislation that was passed,” Kennedy said, adding that he is optimistic a bill will be out of the Senate by late spring or early summer.

Immigration was also a hot topic when the Taoiseach met with the two leading ladies of Capitol Hill, Senator Hillary Clinton and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Pelosi, who joked that although she may not be Irish she has four Irish grandchildren, made it very clear at the American Ireland Fund dinner on Wednesday night that comprehensive immigration reform was at the top of her list, and she would do everything in her power to get a bill on President Bush’s desk by the end of the year.

When asked if the re-introduction of the Senate bill passed by the body last year was a good idea, Clinton said, “Yes. Senator Kennedy is our leader on immigration matters and he is committed to comprehensive immigration reform.”

She went on to thank the thousands of Irish Americans who just recently pressed the immigration issue on behalf of themselves and on behalf of others, and commended them for being “such strong advocates of comprehensive immigration reform.”

Ahern was also commended for his “tireless” work in Northern Ireland. “I want to express my gratitude for the heavy lifting that the Taoiseach has been doing in Northern Ireland and I’m very hopeful that an assembly will be up and going soon,” Clinton said.

The taoiseach and President Bush held a private meeting for an hour on March 16 after the annual shamrock ceremony to discuss various topics, including the plight of the Irish undocumented.

During public remarks delivered at the ceremony, Ahern thanked Bush for his support of immigration reform. “You’ve offered real leadership on this sensitive issue. The resolution of this issue would mean an enormous amount to so many Irish men and women, and I fervently hope that they will, in the not too distant future, be able to step away from the shadows and into the sunshine of this great country,” Ahern said.

For his part, Bush stated that he stands “ready to help” as far as the Northern Ireland peace process is concerned. His remarks did not mention the immigration debate, but did allude to the issue.

“And with their many contributions, Irish Americans remind us of our heritage as a nation of immigrants, and our duty to remain a welcoming society,” Bush said.

After his meeting with Bush, Ahern said the president “reiterated his commitment” to work with Kennedy on the immigration issue and he will push to get it passed Congress this year.

Ahern also said they discussed power sharing in Northern Ireland, the Middle East and overseas development aid. Among those attending the annual White House reception after the shamrock ceremony was Northern Secretary Peter Hain, Sinn Fein chief negotiator Martin McGuinness, and Police Service of Northern Ireland Chief Constable Huge Orde.

Ahern flew back to Ireland just in time for the Irish celebrations in Dublin.