Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent) | Oireachtas source

People in this country are scared. They are scared about what the Government has done and about the lack of information available to them. This pact signs Ireland up to have almost 30,000 migrants coming into this country and if we do not accept these migrants, there is a clause that says it will cost €20,000 for each persons we do not accept. If we do not accept 30,000 migrants, that equates to €600 million in fines. That is what it comes down to for this country.

When it came to the Ukrainian crisis, this brilliant country of ours took in the most Ukrainians per capita, up to 86,000 people. People opened the doors of their houses, gave them rooms and accommodated them wherever they could. We are a small but great island and people wore their hearts on their sleeves, put their arms around the Ukrainian people and welcomed them into their homes. Many of them are working and making a life here, while some have gone home. Ireland has always been a place where people came to further their careers, and we welcome that. They work in hospitality businesses, hospitals and other businesses throughout the country. I have worked with people who wanted to further their careers by coming here, and I welcome that. Irish people went to other countries and did the same. In every sector of the workforce, we have people who migrated here for work.

The problem we have is that for decades, the Government has not invested in infrastructure. When people came here the Government told the people of Ireland it would provide services, such as GP and recreational services, and would support people in Ireland so that we could welcome people here. The problem, however, is that the infrastructure of this country is not capable of taking the number of people we have coming in. That is why there are, at this very minute, people living in tents on streets.

As I said, Irish people welcome people when we can accommodate them. At the moment, however, as a result of the failure of the Minister of State's Government and previous Governments to provide infrastructure in towns, villages and cities, we have no infrastructure for people. We have a massive number of people coming into our towns and villages. The Government says there are 200 people in to a town or village where there are no adequate bus or GP services and not enough accommodation in the schools. That is where the problem lies, and the Government does not even tell people they are coming. That is all that is wrong.

The package the Government is proposing includes an opt-out. Europe makes 70% of the rules for Ireland, so 70% of our laws are now being made in Europe. The failure of our representatives in Europe to protect Ireland is showing. They have sat on their hands and never opened their mouths. Now that election time is coming, they are everywhere but there is a change coming for them too. It is like this Government. In the two recent referendums, 70% of the people voted against the Government because they did not believe it. They do not believe in the people in Europe now, and they do not believe in the Government. That is what is wrong. I have an opinion and other people in this House have a different opinion from me. That is fine but I am standing up for the people in Ireland who would welcome everyone if there was proper infrastructure in place and the Government had lived up to the promises it has been making for years.

A councillor in Limerick has retired after 39 years. When he was first elected 39 years ago, his manifesto stated that the sewerage pipe in Askeaton would be upgraded. That has still not been done. That is what is wrong with this country. It has no infrastructure. Now we have a Government where everything it says is because it is in election mode. People do not believe it any more. The Government has forgotten the people of Ireland. It forgot to invest in infrastructure. Irish people would welcome everyone if the Government had done what it promised for decades.

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