Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I wish the Government had the courage to say that this is its policy and that it will impose local charges. I have not heard anyone coming forward.

We now have 137,000 migrant workers in the country. Last week I was approached by three young Indian nurses because they had difficulties in establishing their rights and the rights of their spouses and friends to visit. I ask the Department to create a booklet for migrant workers outlining their rights in situations such as where their relations want to visit or they want to visit Britain or the United States. Many immigrants do not have much information. Fine Gael creates an information booklet for the public every year. Some people have tried to take the franchise from us in recent years but we can deal with that.

I welcome the progress made in the country and the population increase as outlined in the household survey. I suppose Fianna Fáil will take credit for the population increase also.

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