Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I agree with about 90% of the Tánaiste's contribution. We are on the same page in many ways. Every year we see the Irish Government, including the Tánaiste and Taoiseach, go to the US to try to create pathways and to advocate for Irish people who have gone to the US who are contributing to that country through their work and through raising their families, who have made and continue to make a substantial contribution. What of a Georgian person coming to our country who also wants to work here and to raise a family, or a person from Albania? The latter country is on an EU accession pathway but its citizens have little or no access to a working visa platform. Last year, for example, the Irish State offered eight working visas to people from Georgia to enable them to come here to work and make a contribution. As we go to the US and advocate for Irish people there, should we not also reflect on our own situation?

I agree that many people benefitted from last year's regularisation platform but it only lasted for six months. Why do we not extend that, open it up again and afford the same security of citizenship to people who want to come here, work, contribute and build a life?

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