Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

I am satisfied that for the proper and effective conduct of our immigration law it must be understood by people who illegally come to Ireland and attempt to remain here that the State will deport them. If we had a system under which I decided it was not worth a candle to send them home, the result would be catastrophic. More and more people would come to Ireland, effectively challenging the Government to send them home.

The credibility of our immigration system requires deportation. The great majority of Irish people, as opposed to a small claque in the House, support my position.

See this speech in context