Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

This issue was discussed on Committee Stage and the Minister of State said it was a matter for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The issue has caused huge anxieties and problems in the past. I acknowledge that there is no simple solution but we have not done well to date on it. I am not sure that the regulations to which the Minister of State referred and which are now in force meet all the requirements.

Two categories have been created, with one category of green card holders being allowed to have family members brought into the State immediately. The other category of non-green card holders will not have that automatic right of entitlement, particularly those from countries whose nationals require visas to enter this jurisdiction.

All Members have experiences of family members of foreign workers, even those coming on visits to Ireland, being denied visitor and resident visas, even on a short-term basis. If we are to laud the contribution that foreign nationals make to our economy, it is important that they are genuinely welcomed to work in Ireland. A more flexible arrangement is needed to allow for family members to reside for periods to visit and not have an impenetrable barrier put in their way. I commend Deputy Morgan for facilitating the raising of this issue on Report Stage.

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