Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy for raising a very important issue. I have been extremely consistent in advancing the positive reality and experience of inward migration into Ireland. There are many legal ways in which people can come to Ireland to work, live and reside. That is very clear in terms of our work permit system, for example, which has worked effectively and efficiently in respect of various sectors of our economy that require additional workers.

Only last week, I was with Microsoft. It has 93 nationalities working with it in this country. It came to Ireland in 1985, when there was 17% unemployment. That is why this Government focuses on enterprise and economy a lot. I have never forgotten those days and it is a great motivating force to avoid the complacency regarding the economy that many people on the left have. They almost dismiss it as something that comes naturally. Migration has been an important part of Irish economic and societal growth.

There is free movement within the European Union. Many people from the European Union come to live and work in Ireland. They are in many of our companies, in our health service and elsewhere. I condemn any attacks or any form of racism or targeting of people because of their ethnicity.

Ireland is a very different country from what it was 30 years ago. I have met with young people whose parents came to Ireland. They clearly have an ethnic background, they said to us. They are Irish citizens but they have been subjected to intimidation and attack. I abhor that. It is wrong to say the Government's desire to have a fair, robust, legal migratory pathway is somehow incentivising those attacks or contributing to that sentiment. That is a step too far. That sentiment was there long before any changes in the procedures the Government has announced. It is important to have a fair, robust asylum system that is also timely in terms of the consideration of applications and appeals. The absence of such a system would actually create the negative climate the Deputy speaks of. It is part of the issue.

The origins of asylum are rooted in conflict, war and political suppression. I am trying to be careful but the evidence is that for quite a substantial number of those who seek asylum, the motivation is primarily economic. I understand why, by the way, given what is happening in other countries around the world in terms of quality of life and economy, but these are the realities we have to deal with.

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