Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

Some 40,000 work permits were issued in 2002, of which 16,500 were renewals. This means 25,000 economic migrants entered the country in 2002 and were facilitated with work permits, a very significant inflow. I ask Senator Tuffy to have regard to the interests of workers here, who have to be protected against unfair competition. Whereas one might reasonably argue that in working the individual act of an individual illegal migrant is understandable and is motivated by economic need, the cumulative effect of employers taking on people whom they can exploit and whose wages they can keep down because of the inequality of bargaining power is to enable employers to drive down the general level of wages which ought to be paid in a particular sphere and to undermine organised labour's capacity to defend the rights of legitimate workers in those fields.

The amendments are misconceived and it is appropriate to hold out to employers very serious sanctions in order that they do not doubt that the State will not tolerate under any circumstances a deliberate breach of the law by employers in circumstances where, until now, the only person committing a criminal offence has been the unfortunate employee.

Amendment to amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Amendment No. 2 to amendment No. 12 not moved.