Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak on the Bill. I welcome the debate but I have major concerns about the legislation. It is important to have an informed debate and to examine the details and technicalities of the Bill. I hope it is not a charter for exclusion and low pay, which only applies to people from disadvantaged and poor countries. The legislation presents an opportunity to protect workers who travel to Ireland. It is important that we as a society should ensure these workers are not exploited. I am concerned that sections of the legislation might lead to it being called the snobbery Bill because permits will only be issued to people who are highly skilled and well paid while people at the bottom of the employment heap will be ignored. These issues must be discussed given the concerns that have been expressed. When the Minister replies, I would like to him to clarify these issues.

The legislation codifies the current employment permits administrative procedures, including the work permits and working visa-work authorisation schemes. The Bill provides for the application, grant, renewal, and refusal of employment permits. It also provides that employment permits are granted to the employee and that the permit will state certain rights and entitlements of the worker concerned. The sections dealing with this must be clarified and strengthened. The Bill prohibits recruitment related deductions from remuneration and the retention by the employer of the employee's personal documents. The legislation will also empower the Minister to formulate parameters within which an active economic migration policy may be pursued. I have concerns about this because the Minister of the day will decide the parameters and they depend on the mood and whim of the Minister. What will happen if an anti-immigrant Minister or Government is in power, which we experienced previously?

During this debate on migrant workers, we should also address the issue of respect for these workers and our recent history on asylum seekers. According to the myth, Ireland has been flooded with asylum seekers. However, this group represents a relatively small portion of total inward migration. Half the new arrivals over the past ten years were returning emigrants. Approximately, 60,000 work permits issued last year compared with 8,000 asylum applications. We should bury the myth that asylum seekers are in receipt of social welfare payments to buy cars, mobile telephones and alcohol. They receive full bed and board while their applications are processed but other than that, they receive the same welfare payments as Irish citizens. This has been misrepresented in the broader debate.

I also refer to the "stealing our jobs" syndrome. Asylum seekers are barred from working while their cases are examined but many work on a voluntary basis on refugee projects in their own communities during that time. I have met many of them who were members of delegations to the Oireachtas representing voluntary and community groups. It is often claimed that asylum applications are bogus and applicants do not have a right to be in Ireland. I accept a number have been deemed ineligible under the Geneva Convention but most are forced to leave their homelands because of dire economic, political or social circumstances and this should be taken on board. Sections 3 to 6, inclusive, specify the conditions under which an application for employment permit may be made. Section 3 provides for the making of an application for an employment permit and outlines the categories of persons who may apply for an employment permit. Section 4 provides that employment permits are granted to the employee and requires applications to be accompanied by a fee prescribed by the Minister while section 5 specifies the information to be provided in an application by an employer.

I welcome the debate. People have an opportunity to be more welcoming towards immigrant workers. It must be ensured their rights are protected and we must remember our own history.

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