Tánaiste welcomes Senate's approval of new immigration bill

The Tánaiste has welcomed the US Senate's approval of a new immigration reform bill by 68 votes to 32.

Eamon Gilmore said the bill was another step closer towards addressing the problems faced by the undocumented Irish in the US.

Senator Mark Daly of the Ireland America Association, said it is great news - but the bill still faces the challenge of the House of Representatives.

"The house of representatives is a far more difficult challenge in terms of getting agreement between the republicans and the democrats," he said.

"But this is really a very positive development and I don't think 12 months ago we would have believed we would have got this far this fast."