The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs is in Washington today to highlight the plight of the 50,000 undocumented Irish people living in the US.

Eamon Gilmore will attend a series of meetings over the next two days to push for reform of the American immigration system. 

He is also to hold discussions with Capitol Hill leaders, including former Vice-Presidential candidate Republican Congressman Paul Ryan, on the establishment of a regime for future legal migration between Ireland and the US.

Last year the US Senate approved a comprehensive immigration reform bill which would allow for a so-called 'path to citizenship' for the almost 12 million undocumented migrants living in the US.

Now cross-party support for the proposed reforms must be secured in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

Speaking ahead of his departure, the Tánaiste said, “We are focused on trying to end the great hardship and uncertainty faced by undocumented Irish people living in the US, and by their families at home in Ireland.

While in the US, the Tánaiste will also discuss Northern Ireland with members of Congress and negotiator Richard Haass, ahead of the tense summer marching season.