Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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We will now address the issues of immigration and the refugee crisis. The purpose of our second session today is a discussion on these matters with the Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality, Deputy David Stanton.

The joint committee identified immigration and the refugee crisis as one of its priority issues in the preparation of its work programme for 2016. The Minister of State may be aware that on 23 November the committee heard evidence from Migrant Rights Centre Ireland on immigration and from Nasc, which is based in Cork, on the refugee crisis. It is the intention of the joint committee to produce a report on these issues. We have not yet finally determined whether we will hold any further hearings, but this is a matter for address early in the new year. The format of today's meeting is that I will ask the Minister of State to make his opening remarks and then invite questions from members. As this is the Minister of State's first appearance before us as a joint committee - we have had some interesting select committee experiences in the recent past - on behalf of the committee, I welcome him back as the former Chairman of the committee and extend a welcome to his officials who have joined him. Without any further ado, I invite him to make his opening address.