Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)

He looked for it because he likes that. However, that is not the way to deal with this emotive issue. This will cause serious problems and we will not be able to solve them. The problems associated with citizenship and non-nationals are massive but we do not appear to care. We seem to think we can block gaps here and there and make it sound good but we do not really care about the nitty gritty of what will happen in the future. It will be bad.

What should be done? We need to get together with groups of people and convey the correct message to the public. We must explain what is happening and what plans we have to deal with this subject. We must talk about it in schools and elsewhere. I have been a Member of the House for nearly two years and I have mentioned this subject on a number of occasions but nobody has decided to inform people or to try to improve matters. However, when an election is due in two months it is decided to rush a Bill through the House that might appeal to people's emotions.

The Government cannot blame us for thinking there is a political motive for introducing this Bill. We have not been given the reasons for it. Three months ago we asked whether there would be a referendum and were told it would not happen. A number of Deputies put down questions seeking information a month ago but they were not given answers. The Opposition cannot be blamed for thinking there is another reason for bringing this Bill before the House in such a hurry. It is a little like Chicken Licken running around saying the sky is going to fall down. The sky will not fall down if this Bill is not passed. Europe will not be annoyed with us for not pushing through this amendment. There is no major panic. We can wait a few months to discuss this properly.

The Minister might not like the comparison but it is a little like George Bush rushing into Iraq without UN support. It is not as serious but the same logic applies. If George Bush had a second chance, he would probably wait for UN support before going into Iraq. Look at the problems he has now. The same applies to the Minister in this case. If he does not work with all the parties on the overall issue, not just this part of it, there will be problems. Let us watch how he will handle them. He will be back to the House, cap in hand, seeking our support after the problem has grown.

Nobody has all the answers. One of our candidates seeking election in Navan is a youth worker in Dublin. She is involved in groups that work with non-nationals. Her group has never been asked its opinion on this subject. It is one of the few groups working directly with non-nationals and immigrants every day. I have friends and colleagues who work in Mosney and they have never been asked what they think.

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