Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I welcome the Kennedy-McCain Bill, which is a positive and constructive initiative. Does the Minister of State agree that it is for all parliamentarians and Members of the Dáil to support Irish immigrants? Does he accept that the Government has a brass neck in calling for support for Irish emigrants while deporting 110 immigrants from Ireland in recent months? I strongly support Deputy Michael Higgins's comments about how some of our Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform's remarks were out of order and disgraceful.

Does the Minister of State accept that, as political leaders, we have a duty to lead in the immigration issue? Even if doing so loses votes, it is essential that we lead. Does he support the proposal put forward by many Deputies to extend the franchise, allowing Irish emigrants to vote in our elections? Will the Government reconsider the situation of some immigrant families in Ireland? A group of Kurds living in Marino, have family in a refugee camp in Iraq. They have been trying to get their family together for the past six months. I have been pushing their case but all sorts of doors have been slammed in my face. If the Government is serious about the immigration issue, we must accept out international obligations as a sovereign state to assist immigrants all over the world.

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