Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)

It can be a vital part of a country's cultural, social and economic development. Indeed, as an island nation off the coast of another island, as Ireland is, it is no harm to have some mixing of the gene pool. Deputy Varadker and I are testimony to the positive aspects of such mixing. Indeed, the House is the poorer without the contributions of the former Labour Party Deputy, Dr. Moosajee Bhamjee, which gave us all cause for thought.

In terms of the cultural sphere, while I grew up with Gael Linn and the Clancy Brothers, these days I am far more likely to listen to Ali Farka Touré or some other aspect of world music. It is important to put that positive contribution on the record of the House. Indeed, one of the most successful festivals on the island is the Festival of World Cultures in Dún Laoghaire, where one might find a Zimbabwean listening to music from South America while eating food from Asia. The enthusiasm for such events shows us all that we are the richer for this cultural, economic and social mixing.

I am aware of the very detailed submissions that have been made by many groups, particularly the immigration NGOs, who held a press conference yesterday to highlight their concerns about the Bill. Last night, the Dún Laoghaire Refugee Project made available to me a list of concerns they have with the legislation. During my meeting with the Dún Laoghaire Refugee Project last Monday, I met a great group of children and young adults from Burundi, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and elsewhere, who all have a very positive role to play in the future development of Ireland. They are intelligent, enthusiastic and committed to contributing to the Ireland of the future. We must put that on record. Indeed, where would the future of the Irish soccer team be without the input of a prospective immigrant to our shores, Mr. Giovanni Trapattoni?

I say this from a desire to put on the record of the House that immigration is, and will continue to be, a very positive part of Irish life. Of course, it brings its fair share of challenges. We must have a system of immigration that is clear, timely and transparent. This Bill is one of the first steps towards fulfilling the mandates within the programme for Government. I look forward to the discussion on Committee Stage and see this as a step on the way towards a further review of our immigration legislation. That will be required because immigration, almost by its nature, changes. The concerns, policies and solutions will be different in five years' time from those being considered today. I welcome the legislation. Its detail is paramount and I look forward to constructive engagement with the Minister and Opposition benches on the final text.

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