Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)

I reiterate what I said in my opening remarks that the essential priority for the Government in our immigration laws is that they are robust and enforced. People are entitled to have confidence in our immigration system and there obviously must be consequences for individuals who refuse to leave the State when they are ordered to do so.

Returns and readmission are fundamental pillars of the comprehensive and credible EU policy on migration. The European Council has consistently emphasised the need for a unified, comprehensive and effective policy. Readmission agreements play a very important role in that fight against irregular migration. The purpose of the Council's decision is to open negotiations on a readmission agreement with Kazakhstan that contains clear and unambiguous legally binding obligations that are necessary for two purposes. The first is to ensure rapid and effective procedures for the identification and return of persons, including nationals of EU member states and Kazakhstan, third-country nationals and stateless persons, illegally entering or remaining on the party's territory. The second is to facilitate the transit of persons to be returned to another third country in a spirit of co-operation.

By opting in at this stage, Ireland will be able to engage fully in the Council decision and negotiating mandate. That is a crucially important part of this. It is the bit that Deputies, in some of their contributions, are choosing to ignore or do not seem to take on board; opting in would clearly demonstrate support for our EU partners and their citizens' interests. Choosing to take part at this stage would also align with Ireland's commitment to opting in, wherever possible, to EU measures in the area of freedom, security and justice under Title V. That is a very important part.

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