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Enda Kenny: Theres an issue about the waiver scheme and the way it applies. Photograph: Bloomberg

The Taoiseach, at the end of his remarks in the Oval Office next to Barack Obama, noted that it was unique for a country as small as Ireland to have this reach right to the centre of influence.

On the subject of immigration reform a topic of great interest to the Taoiseach, as Obama put it Enda Kenny on his annual St Patricks Day visit to Washington had to work his influence at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue, in the White House and in Congress.

Obamas executive actions bypassing Congress last year to protect millions of illegal migrants from deportation, have been frozen by the US courts. His ambitions for a broad reform of immigration law have been blocked by Republicans. Kenny is caught between two conflicting forces.

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At the St Patricks Day breakfast in the residence of vice president Joe Biden, Kenny said the issue may well be somewhat intractable.

[This] is an issue that I know you can deal with, he told mostly Democratic senators at the Biden residence.

Finding consensus in Washingtons political gridlock is a challenge. Kenny has certainly softened his cough since his St Patricks Day visit last year. Much has changed since then, with the Republicans winning control of Congress by taking a majority in the Senate in last years midterm elections.

This puts John Boehner, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell in the driving seat. Kennys people did well to get some face time with them after he attended the Speakers Paddys Day lunch in the Capitol with Obama.

Given the limited chances of broad immigration reforms, the Taoiseach discussed with Obama the possibility of visa waivers that would allow many US-based illegal Irish to return to Ireland to regularise their immigration status without being hit with three- or 10-year bars. The US embassy in Mexico has shown similar flexibility that could be applied in the case of illegal Irish.

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Analysis: Immigration reform to the fore for Taoiseach in US

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny presents US President Barack Obama with a large pot of shamrocks to mark St. Patrick's Day. Video: Reuters

Speaker of the House John Boehner, US president Barack Obama and Taoiseach Enda Kenny after they attended the St Patricks Day lunch on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Photograph: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Simon Carswell, Mary Minihan

Taoiseach Enda Kenny used his annual St Patricks Day trip to Washington to press for help for illegal Irish immigrants but said there was an issue around lifting long-term travel bans stopping undocumented people travelling back and forth to Ireland.

Speaking at the annual St Patricks Day breakfast for Mr Kenny hosted by vice-president Joe Biden, the Taoiseach said the issue of immigration reform may well be somewhat intractable.

Later, after meeting US president Barack Obama at the Oval Office, Mr Kenny described as a disappointment the legal stalling of Mr Obamas executive action designed to bypass the Republican-led Congress and aiming to protect up to five million illegal immigrants from deportation.

The Irish Times takes no responsibility for the content or availability of other websites.

The measures were expected to assist illegal Irish unable to return home for family occasions such as weddings and funerals and emergencies without being blocked on their return to the US.

In the Oval Office, Mr Kenny said that he discussed with Mr Obama the possibility of visa waivers that would allow illegal immigrants to return to Ireland without facing three- or 10-year travel bans for illegally overstaying old visas on their return to the US.

Legal route

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Taoiseach dampens hopes of US visa deal for Irish illegals

The Taoiseach told US President Barack Obama that Ireland will be heavily involved in lobbying for reform of the American immigration system.

He made the pledge at the St Patricks Day reception at the White House, where he presented a bowl of shamrock.

While the annual presentation of the shamrock at the White House was a solemn affair for the Taoiseach, it was a more laid-back affair for the US commander in chief - who recalled his trips to Ireland.

"I remember my own visit to Dublin, Moneygall, and Belfast the unrushed landscape, the unrushed pint of black," he told the assembled press. "Waiting for that perfect pint is 90 seconds well spent."

The Taoiseach, however, had to focus more on the needs of the Irish and Irish-Americans in his audience, and referenced President Obamas recent moves to reform the immigration system.

"I can assure you this evening, Mr President, that we will add our voice to the many voices calling on this congress to pass immigration reform legislation as soon as possible," he vowed.

Alongside the shamrock yesterday, the Taoiseach also gave the President a book of poems from Yeats, some of whose poetry was inscribed in the bowl of shamrock.

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Ireland will lobby hard on immigration reform, Kenny tells Obama

Enda Kenny and Barack Obama meet ahead of a St Patricks Day lunch. Photograph: Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said US immigration reform can only be achieved with courage and praised President Barack Obamas decisiveness on the issue.

Speaking in the Oval Office beside Mr Obama, following their bi-lateral meeting at the White House, Mr Kenny said visa waivers and related matters were discussed.

I would hope that at the end of the day that political leadership here in Washington, the greatest nationcan actually deal with this particular problem, Mr Kenny said.

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It can only be dealt with by having courage and leadership.

Mr Kenny said he hoped Irish people would be allowed to travel back and forth between the US and Ireland while on the road to legitimacy.

So we hope that thedecisiveness of President Obama on this can bear fruit.

Mr Kenny described his meeting with Mr Obama as constructive and conclusive.

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US immigration reform requires courage, says Enda Kenny

Gushing with enthusiasm, Schumer repeatedly wished the McSorley's crowd, "Happy St. Patrick's Day month!"

Below you'll find him snapchatting with some new friends:

Amid several rounds of "light" beer (Schumer preferred "light" to the bar's only other option, "dark") the senator sat down with CNN to discuss his love for the Irish, St. Patrick's Day and the certainty of immigration reform in 2017.

As a Jewish American, Schumer was awarded Brooklyn's 'Hibernian man of the Year" in the early 1980s for his support of Irish immigrants.

"Only in America could the Hibernian man of the year be given to Chuck Schumer!" he proudly quipped.

The senator also added a provision to the Senate's comprehensive immigration reform bill he helped author to change a 1965 immigration law that restricts visas for European nationals. The change would make 10,500 renewable visas available to Irish immigrants each year.

"I love the Irish!" Schumer exclaimed, pausing to cheers the owner of ale house. "They are a people-loving people."

According to the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform, there are roughly 15,000 undocumented Irish immigrants living in the greater New York City area, and 50,000-60,000 nationwide.

Schumer's bipartisan immigration bill with Republican Sen. John McCain charged through the Senate in 2013 -- but in the House? Not so much.

When asked what he says to Republican House Leader John Boehner -- who declined to bring the measure to a vote in the House -- Schumer said, "I say to [him] that if you love America, you will pass this bill."

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St. Patrick's Day bartending with Chuck Schumer