Mr. Ted Neville:

We were having this interchange earlier when other Deputies were seeking to speak. The level of support among the general population for a greater degree of control on mass immigration is quite significant. The Deputy is right: we did not get elected when we went before the public on the issue. Irish general elections tend to veer off on many other things and certain issues get left behind. I was making the point, to the ire of several Deputies, that at election times they do not discuss immigration. In the context where something is not discussed and a void is left, it is difficult for people who wish to debate the issue to have an airing and a forum. The media rather compliantly and generously follow the politicians' lead and will not bring up immigration as a big issue. Therefore, it does not get discussed.

One particular poll gives some indication of the level of support for the general position we hold. The source may be surprising. In October 2009 The Irish Timesconducted a poll. It asked people for their views on immigration. Fully 72% of people said there was either too much or far too much immigration into Ireland. This was a poll by The Irish Timesin October 2009. It did not get a long ongoing discussion in the columns of The Irish Times, but that was the result and the newspaper was fair enough to publish it. Why does that not get translated into an election result? That is a question. I have it to say to Deputies that there is legitimately a pact put before all Deputies - it will be done again next year - to the effect that they are anti-racism. They are and we are too. That is quite fine and we have no problem with that; there are no racists here. The problem is that this is used, unfortunately, to encompass valid discussion of immigration. Since no one wants to get anywhere near the issue of racism, we also park immigration and a discussion of same. Therefore, there is no discussion in our general elections on the subject of immigration.

An election is due to happen in another country, our nearest neighbour, within the next month. They are in a similar situation to us. In fact, they have probably had a smaller percentage of mass immigration into their country in the past ten years. Immigration is straight up as one of the issues to be discussed and properly so because their public representatives are giving voice to what their constituents are telling them. The Deputies may say they never hear from their constituents about this matter and that they do not bring it to their clinics.