Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle) | Oireachtas source

Before I call the Minister of State, we have had possibly unnecessarily acrimonious debate over the last while. I can only say this. I grew up in a country that was practically monocultural and practically monoethnic. I am glad that my adult children have grown to adulthood in a country that is multiethnic. I believe that the Ireland we live in today is enriched by the people who have come here through the visa system and who have come here seeking a better standard of living for themselves and their families, as Irish people did in so many other parts of the world. I believe passionately that we are seeing a phenomenon that will continue and grow of migration from the developing countries to the developed world where we need people to work in our health services and right across the whole economy. It behoves us as politicians – all of us – to find a way to work together to build consensus and support for that; not to build division and resentment. And it behoves the Government to support you, Minister, in a whole-of-government approach so that you can achieve the objectives that we all know you have.

I call the Minister of State, Deputy O’Brien.

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