John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

We are already taking action. I highlighted previously to the Deputy in regard to Part V of the Planning and Development Act 2000 that what we wanted to achieve was proper integration not segregation. The problems Deputy Naughten referred to were identified as far back as the year 2000. We do not need to be alarmist about this issue. We have seen good integration take place.

I do not know whether Deputy Naughten listened to the President speak on the "Late Late Show". She acknowledged the great contribution people coming to this country are making. One can look at some of the schools in my constituency where many immigrants have made a fantastic contribution and enhanced our country. I refer, for example, to a student from Synge Street who won the young scientist of the year award. If anything, immigrants are bringing up standards in many schools.

Too often we tend to highlight immigration as an issue that will result in doom and gloom, but that is not the case. We should see it very much as an opportunity. What we need are proper housing estates which have proper housing densities. I will issue new guidelines in the run-up to Christmas. This issue does not just involve the new communities, it involves everyone. We must ensure the provision of schools, child care, proper infrastructure and transport links in new housing estates because, otherwise, we will have the creation of ghettoes, regardless of whether these people come from other countries or were born here. Let us get integration right and let us get housing densities right.

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