Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I will not discuss that aspect of the matter as it relates to everybody involved, including the social partners. I do not accept that a message of the kind suggested by Deputy Morgan has been sent to employers, who know they are subject to penalties under Irish labour law if they breach that law.

Just 22 countries have ratified or acceded to the UN convention, which is quite broad, even though it has been open to signature and ratification since December 1990. I am informed that one of the main reasons EU member states have not ratified the convention is that it does not distinguish between legal and illegal, or documented and undocumented, migrants. In effect, the convention obliges countries to provide protection entitlements to workers about whom they have no information. The Deputy can readily appreciate the complications that would develop in that regard alone if the convention is ratified and the State is given obligations in respect of people who come to the State illegally. The ratification of the convention would have a wide-ranging impact on all Departments and on a range of policies. The Government is not minded to sign up to such obligations. There is no point in signing conventions without having full cognisance of their implications for our position.

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