Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the Minister of State and his officials and thank him for the comprehensive outline of the state of play. Migration is a relatively significant issue for me. Across Europe, there has been a lack of movement on achieving a resolution, notwithstanding that there probably can be no immediate resolution. There is inertia. While it is identified as the highest priority, it almost reminds me of the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly. While I do not want to be political, although everything is his highest priority, so-called, nothing necessarily happens. Although European leaders are generally saying migration is the highest priority, the Heads of State bemoan the fact that nothing has happened at the Council meeting, that the appropriate action has not been taken, or that there has not been enough action. It is unacceptable. My point is not directed at the Minister of State. It is a collective issue for all the member states.

To some extent, there has been an easing off in the passage of migrants due to the change in season and the weather, although there has not been as much of a decrease as originally expected as winter began. Ireland could do much more. While I was critical of the 4,000 we settled on, it would have made a difference had we moved more quickly to welcome 4,000 here.

We could have accommodated them and we are in a position to accommodate them but we have been far too slow to address those issues of red tape. There is an opportunity for us to step away from the pack a little bit. We can explain away the lack of action as the inability to reach agreement among member states because some members do not share the same views. The challenge is for us to recognise our own history, culture and views and to do much more on an individual basis rather than staying part of the herd and accepting the roadblocks and issues that prevent the process from proceeding at greater speed. Has any consideration been given by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or European affairs at the Department of Taoiseach to reach ahead of the actions of other members states and do more on a bilateral basis?

On the British situation, we look forward to the text of such an agreement. We hope it will be enough for David Cameron to resolve, to some extent, the mess he has created for himself. That would be a political charge. I do not want to do that because we are all on the same side but it is an issue that needs to be comprehensively addressed. It is to be hoped there will be enough in it to allow him to convince the people of Britain to remain in the European Union.

The Minister of State mentioned that child benefit was a tricky issue. Could he give us more information on what he thinks is being proposed or the direction in which that is being taken? Notwithstanding our desire to keep Britain as part of the Union, which is a major focus - a high priority, as the Minister, Deputy Alan Kelly, might say - we cannot at the same time diminish in any way the principles upon which Europe is founded, particularly the in-work benefits which accrue to the individual regardless of the residence of their family. These benefits accrue in the country in which people pay their insurance and while that is unpalatable for some in this country, it is an issue politically. We have to stand up to people who make these kinds of statements, even thought it might not be electorally advantageous. It goes to the core of addressing an issue that exists in every society and which is linked to racism. It is often presented as or hidden behind an assertion that there is not enough money to pay those people. There is a view that we are assisting people through the social welfare code to a far greater extent than we are. Such charges usually come from people who, in my view, have racist tendencies. Anything in the text of this that will give succour to those people should be resisted, and I am sure it will be. We have to be very careful about the language we use while supporting David Cameron. We cannot give succour to those who would seek to be divisive and racist in their outlook.