David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Fundamentally, this is a debate about sovereignty. It is about how sovereign states manage migration. It is, and should be, for every nation to determine its own migration and border policies.

Ireland should have its own rules-based system that needs to be fair, efficient and enforced. A one-size-fits-all approach to migration throughout the European Union is not the best solution for this country. Ireland is unique as only one of two EU member states with opt-outs from the common EU migration policy. The Government should exercise that right so that we can decide our own migration policy for ourselves. Instead the Government is importing a policy from Europe because its own policies have failed. That is the wrong decision because it will tie the hands of future governments on migration policy and further erode our sovereignty, at a time when there is a growing tide of far-right and extreme sentiment in many countries in Europe.

For that reason Sinn Féin will oppose the Government's plan to give over responsibility to Europe and remove the hard-won flexibility to decide our own migration policies. Europe should have no role in determining our migration policies. There are areas where we should and must co-operate with the European Union and other member states. I have no difficulty with that but to hand over the responsibility and power of managing our migration policy and setting our migration policy to the EU is a fundamental mistake. Sinn Féin wants Ireland to have control over its own borders. We support a migration system that is matched with our ability to integrate, develop public services and grow our economy.

The vast majority of Irish people are good, honest, decent people. They want a fair migration system that supports access to work and that supports people fleeing war, violence and persecution. They are asking for a migration system with integrity that they can trust and have faith in. They want to know that the same rules apply to everyone, that the system is efficient, that applications are processed quickly and that decisions are enforced. Unless a rules-based system is enforced, we cease to have a rules-based system. That is part of the frustration that many communities feel. What people see, unfortunately, is the opposite. They see a system that takes too long to process applications, has failed to provide appropriate accommodation for those who are genuinely fleeing war or persecution, has privatised services and has funnelled profit into the hands of a few who have benefited from the Government's mismanagement. They see a system where rules are not enforced. When you do not enforce rules, you did not have rules. A rules-based system is essential to fairness. Everyone deserves a fair shot on the same rules, underpinned by fairness and human rights.

Government policy has been failing on this for years so, when a surge came, the system was wholly inadequate and unprepared. Nobody is to blame for the chaos across our towns and cities except the Government and the parties opposite. The new Irish communities that have grown over the past two decades are welcome here. They are Irish and their contribution to our society is overwhelmingly positive from healthcare to hospitality and the tech sector. While we oppose this pact, we do not discount that there is a huge role for the EU in respect of the causes of migration, promoting global climate action, peace, development aid and fair trade agreements. There are many reasons for migration including war, violence and persecution.

There is also massive social and economic inequality, which is supported by the West, developed countries and, at times, the European Union. The hypocrisy of the European Union in this regard is clear. For example, the Mercosur trade agreement would facilitate the destruction of the Amazon without consequence when we know that global climate change will be a large driver of migration in the years ahead. Europe and the West must face up to their role in the contributing factors that drive migration and prevent people from living prosperous lives in their home countries. Without tackling global inequalities and economic disadvantage, we will not address the root causes of the problems to which this pact is a response.

The extreme voices in this conversation are not interested in solving this problem. They do not have the answers and cannot solve the problem. They have their heads in the sand on the causes of migration. Talking tough is not going to solve the problem. The Government’s incompetence has given these voices space to peddle fear and division. This must be tackled proactively and head-on by the Government and Opposition. We need a migration system that is fit for purpose, restores and invests in housing and public services.

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