Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

The fact that 21 Fine Gael Deputies will have spoken on this motion by the time it is finished this evening speaks volumes for the commitment our party has to this major issue. The fact that the Government has accepted the motion shows there is unanimity in the House on this issue.

The only thing we know for certain is that there is an enforcement Bill in the US Congress that will demonise and criminalise any person, in this case an Irish person, who knowingly helps in any way an illegal immigrant. That is the only prospect with which we are faced on Capitol Hill. All the leaders in the immigration movement in the US are calling on the Taoiseach to go to Washington. He should take with him the Opposition leaders. It has been stated that Dr. Ian Paisley should go, but it is important that Deputies Kenny, Gilmore and Ó Caoláin, the leaders of the Opposition parties in this House, also accompany him.

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