The Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform in the United States said it is hopeful the change of US President next month will be good news for the undocumented from this country.

Democratic President-elect Barack Obama will succeed Republican President George W. Bush on January 20th.

There are growing expectations that the new US administration will be more sympathetic to the undocumented Irish.

It is believed there are approximately 40,000 undocumented Irish living in the United States.

Ciaran Staunton from Westport who is involved with the Irish Lobby for Immigration Reform said 'we need a proactive Taoiseeach and the Irish-American community in the US needs a strong partner in the Irish Government when we are dealing with people in Capitol Hill.'

He also said that things are looking better this year for the Irish undocumented in the US than last year.