Joe O'Toole (Independent)

She should never have left that Ministry, if she was doing such a good job of it given that Luas has been delayed by a year on account of her leaving. I give my full support to the request from Senator Hayes for a debate, not just on work permits, but also on immigration policy. I addressed the conference organised by the Equality Authority yesterday and in recent times have raised the issue with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. There are a number of Departments involved in the whole issue of immigration and work permits. We are likely to have the same problems here in terms of racism as have been experienced in the United States and the United Kingdom if we do not introduce a policy from which we could gain considerably.

This issue is like the North of Ireland as a term of discussion. All sorts of views are offered in pubs and everywhere else. There is no proper debate on immigration. There are two polarised positions with one group suggesting everyone who arrives at our shores should come in while the other wants to let nobody in. We need a focused policy. Those on the left and the progressive side need to agree it is proper to have a policy, which should be implemented. Until people get an opportunity to discuss the matter, the middle ground will never emerge. We could do much good by having a debate.

We have made many mistakes in the development of the economy, but it is well accepted that one of the greatest lapses in the early economic plans of Lemass in the 1950s and early 1960s was the lack of development of the fishing industry. This has been a feature for the last three or four decades. There was considerable disquiet at the decision of the Taoiseach this year not to have a full Department for the marine. As somebody who comes from the west, I am threatened by the fact that consideration is being given to opening the Irish fishing box to Spanish trawlers. Those who do not live in the areas concerned do not understand it, but this will wreck the whole fishing industry, an industry which is on its knees and which needs support, encouragement and investment. The idea of opening it up will mean we will have no fish in a very short period. The Minister with responsibility for the marine should come to the House to bring forward a plan for us to debate and reflect the views of those involved in the industry.