John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)

——we would have experienced a level of uncontrolled illegal immigration with which we simply could not have coped. The consequences for this country would have been catastrophic. The Members opposite know now that this would not have been in the interests of persons with a well-founded case for refugee status or in the interests of economically disadvantaged persons. They know it would not have been good policy and that, most certainly, it would not have been in the interests of this State.

At this juncture, I will pose one simple question; to whom should the people listen now in regard to the referendum?

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