Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

For hundreds of years, Ireland's people have been immigrants, leaving our shores for other countries, both near and far, whether driven by famine, unemployment, as in previous years, or, more recently, because they cannot find or afford housing. These immigrants faced rules and regulations at their destinations because the countries in question put in place controls and requirements. Common-sense laws and regulations all applied at the point of entry and were accepted by those seeking entry as part of the process.

For the Minister, Deputy McEntee, and this Government to expect blind acceptance of their reckless all-in consent to this EU migration pact is truly breathtaking. The Minister has admitted she did not even consider partial adoption of the pact. This is the political equivalent of throwing the baby out with the bathwater. In this case, the baby is Ireland's sovereignty and its ability to create a fit-for-purpose, fair and efficient immigration system that is managed and makes sense. This pact is not that.

We Irish deeply understand what it means to be an immigrant and to be driven from one's homeland to seek refuge in another foreign land, whether by hunger, war or persecution. We understand more than most how many people fleeing horrible circumstances need protection and support. We all understand the value and the huge contributions that can be and are being made by many migrants and the skills they bring with them. All we need do is look at our hospitality sector and hospitals and at the impact our own emigrants had. Mother Jones came from humble beginnings in Cork to become an anti-child labour activist. Let us not forget Presidents Kennedy, Reagan and Obama who celebrated their Irish immigrant routes.

Retaining our power to legislate on immigration matters is absolutely essential in ensuring we have an immigration system that works to protect Ireland’s interests and allows us to control our immigration rules at national level. We cannot hand over all power on this to the EU. Legislative powers on this issue must remain in our hands. Mr. Raymond Crotty proved that in 1982. Is the Government deliberately flying in the face of the Constitution?

The Minister's decision to effectively surrender Ireland's sovereignty is both thoughtless and reckless. It is a mistake which would leave us with no control on key immigration issues, ranging from the criteria which define genuine asylum applications from others to deciding what countries Ireland should accept refugees from. We must retain sovereignty over our immigration system. That system must be fair, efficient and, most important, enforced. This Government's all-in approach to the EU pact is wrong and will not deliver that. Sinn Féin is opposing this motion and we urge all in the House to do the same.

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