Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Brendan Smith is correct that there is always a danger we could fall between stools on this issue which has been ongoing for years. I am not so sure we need to isolate the Irish from the other undocumented. We can claim a certain priority because of the commitment of the Irish to the United States for many years. I know the point that has been made about the Mexicans. Several years ago I met a US Congressman who wanted to put a wire fence between Mexico and the United States.

We need to be mindful that persons who are stateless in another land are always open to exploitation. It can also happen in this country. A case must be made internationally for the recognition of their entitlements, including access to their human rights.

I agree entirely with Deputy Smith in that area. We need to be doing it on a continual basis, and not apologising for it either. There should be no apology for this. There are countless persons in my constituency who can never come home, who can never leave there. The fact that they are trapped there is a clear indication. If they show themselves at all, they are gone forever and that leaves them open to exploitation.

I would not be at all apologetic. We made considerable sacrifices as a nation to the United States over the years. There was a significant commitment. I can remember when I was a child seeing guys coming home from the Korean War. I was talking to a guy the other night who was in Dien Bien Phu in French Indochina. We had something of a commitment. There are those who talk about Ireland as a neutral nation with no international commitments, etc. We paid our price, however, and we deserve to be treated as such as well.