Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has expressed his hope that reform of the immigration system in the United States will reach "successful finality" in the not-too-distant future.
Speaking in Washington at a lunch hosted by Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and attended by President Bush, Mr Ahern said:
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern
"This great nation has been enriched by the experience of immigration and your democracy is all the stronger for it."
He said the resolution of the issue "would mean an enormous amount to those Irish men and women who continue to live in the shadows in this country".
"My Government is keenly aware of their ongoing plight. I hope, therefore, that your efforts at immigration reform will reach successful finality in the not too distant future."
On the North, Mr Ahern said that what once seemed impossible was now within reach.
"Last week, the people voted to see the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement restored. The will of the people is undeniable and unmistakable. They have endorsed the St Andrews Agreement and they want the parties working together in a shared government on their behalf," he said.
Mr Ahern said a "great deal of valuable time" had been lost since the Belfast Agreement was signed in 1998, but that the restoration later this month of an inclusive power-sharing Executive "gives real hope and represents an opportunity of historic proportions".
"Prime Minister Blair and I will spare no effort to secure the restoration of the institutions of shared government. In this, I know that we have your support and the support of men and women of goodwill everywhere who know the enormous distance that has been travelled and how close we now are to bringing Northern Ireland to a point where it can finally settle down in peace and be at ease with itself.
"Time is now pressing. It would be unconscionable if this opportunity of a generation were to falter at this final moment. The vital days ahead for Northern Ireland will demand courage."
Mr Ahern asked the US to "continue to walk with us on our journey of peace in Ireland".
And he asked those present to "please continue your welcome support in individual cases - like the need for a full public inquiry into the murder of Belfast solicitor Pat Finucane - where your determined voice gives hope and makes a real difference".
Mr Ahern emphasised the "strong relationship" between Ireland and the United States, noting that it is our second largest trading partner after Britain and the largest source of inward investment.
"I am, however, very pleased to be able to say that this investment is not all one way. Irish direct investment in the US is now itself very significant and is estimated at about $17 billion with Irish companies responsible for some 70,000 jobs here."
At the event in the US Capitol, Mr Ahern told President Bush he looked forward to their meeting at the White House tomorrow.