Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We should never tire of reminding people that Independence transformed the fortunes of this country and the people who live here. It transformed the country from being a provincial backwater of the United Kingdom into being a modern European state. In looking for evidence of that transformation, we probably need look no further than at the impact of migration into and out of Ireland over those historical years. During the time when we were a province of the United Kingdom the population of this country had been declining significantly since the Famine. Even after Independence, it took around 50 years for the population stabilise.

However, what really transformed this country from a country of emigration to a country of immigration was our joinder of the European Union and the establishment of the Single Market. As a result of that and because of the country's economic success, people want to come into the country. No longer is it a country that Irish people are forced to leave. In fact, if the international asylum procedure that exists at present existed back in the 19th century, I have no doubt millions of Irish people would have been entitled to avail of it.

The reasons we have such instance of immigration into Ireland now need to be stated. The first reason is that we are now a member of the EU, the 27 countries with a combined population of 450 million people. We know that under that system we have agreed to free movement of workers. That means workers are entitled to come from other countries within the EU to Ireland and in a similar way, workers in Ireland are entitled to go to other EU countries. It does not mean people are entitled to come here to claim social welfare. It means they are entitled to come here to work if they are from the EU 27 countries.

We also know there is a very effective and successful system in place whereby people can apply for work permits in Ireland. I think the Minister announced yesterday that last year 31,000 people applied for and were granted work permits to come here. We see those people working in our hospitals and restaurants. They go through the process of applying to get work permits that entitle them to come here and to work here.

The third ingredient in respect of immigration into Ireland arises in the sphere of international protection. It is clear that the issue that has given rise to concern in Ireland and that has made immigration a contentious issue is the issue of international protection. The numbers applying for international protection have increased relatively significantly in recent years. Back in 2019, a total of 4,700 people applied for international protection in Ireland. In 2022 and 2023, some 13,500 people applied in each year for international protection. Figures for the full year of 2024 are estimated to be around 25,000 people applying for international protection. On top of that, of course, we provided permanent protection to individuals who were coming from Ukraine and that temporary protection, as it is called, persists for another number of months into next year.

The numbers of people seeking international protection have put stresses on the system. However, it is extremely important to maintain separation between the three realms of migration I have outlined: those entitled to come because they are in the EU; those who apply for work permits; and those who apply for international protection. In order for the international protection system to operate effectively we need to have a system whereby people's applications are assessed promptly.

The whole purpose of the EU migration pact is to try to speed up the process of people applying for international protection. I suspect another purpose of the EU migration pact is to apply a stricter regime so that we have a more co-ordinated system throughout the European Union. I welcome that. If a person applies for international protection in one EU country and is refused, it is inappropriate that they then come to another EU country and apply again. Alternatively, it is also inappropriate if somebody applies for international protection in one country, then leaves that country and comes to Ireland or another country and initiates their application anew. That is called secondary movement. It undermines the system and is bad for the integrity of the international protection system.

People are perfectly entitled to say we should not opt into the migration and asylum pact. However, if they are going to say that, they need to appreciate the consequences of that. They also need to consider the purpose of the EU migration and asylum pact. As I said, the political direction of Europe at present is to try to reduce the numbers who are applying for international protection here and to try to introduce a more co-ordinated and effective system. In my opinion, the EU migration and asylum pact seeks to do that. I do not see any other proposal on the paper which can achieve it in any similar way.

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