Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Independent)

I noted the Tánaiste's earlier comments about a national migration strategy due in 2026. I presume this is the national asylum and migration management strategy that relates to the EU asylum and migration pact in which we are currently participating. In that context, given that we are a representative democracy and we have occasional debates on this issue, in order to stop the manipulation on the far left side of the politics of identity and on the far right of the politics of hate, we need more debate. We need more debate. Yesterday, I asked whether the Government would consider a citizens' forum on this issue. A citizens' forum would include a lot of newcomer citizens who came to these shores and now are Irish citizens. They would be able to contribute to the debate. We can look at what our resources and our obligations are under UN conventions and what is and is not possible. Above all, it would put to bed a lot of the myths and misinformation and allow a proper, reasoned and respectful debate. Could that be done concurrently with any other discussion in these Houses?

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