MINISTER FOR Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin warned those contemplating emigration not to become part of the undocumented Irish in the US. “It is not worth it in terms of quality of life and employment.”

Mr Martin added that while it might seem initially attractive, and people might think they would get by or get on, there was distress and stress for some people, even those who had been in the US for 10 years.

“Many people have returned to Ireland but have not made it back to the US, with the consequent chaos and dislocation brought to their lives.”

The Minister was replying to Fine Gael TD Paul Connaughton, who said he agreed with Mr Martin that assisting the undocumented was a difficult process.

“The problems are horrendous. A woman rang me from Washington the other day and she wanted to attend her mother’s funeral in Dublin. She is undocumented in the US.”

Mr Martin said senior officials in his department had talks in Washington as recently as Monday with a view to creating more flexibility on the 12-month work-holiday agreement. In talks with immigration centres it had emerged that people availing of that agreement could eventually secure a better quality visa in the US.

Mr Martin said the domestic political context in the US was making it very difficult for legislators, even those who were for reform by instinct. It was as basic as considering the security of their own seats.

He said the economic context was not good in facilitating reform with record levels of unemployment in the US.