Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I welcome the Government's provisions to give people from the accession countries full access to the labour market in 2004. Its wish to send an unambiguous signal that we intend to promote integration from the outset is a positive objective but the safety clause is contradictory in that context and demonstrates an ambiguity about our economic circumstances and an unfair attitude to those involved. In effect, we are saying they are welcome but only if the labour market needs them. They are chips in an economic card game and if things go wrong for us, we will get rid of them. It is not very humane to treat people as economic units rather than as persons who can also contribute to our society culturally and socially.

The Minister of State's speech pointed to contradictions in our employment policy. He admits there is no reason to assume we will be flooded and that previous experience has proved such fears to be unfounded. I accept that an economic downturn is possible but it is wrong to treat people as mere economic units. We should welcome them and promote integration rather than treat them as safety valves if we fail economically. If we do, it will be our fault generally and the Government's, in particular. We will have wasted the opportunities our economic boom provided.

If we are serious about competitiveness, encouraging foreign investment and the growth of indigenous industry, we should stop cutting back research and development funding at third level. We should avoid threatening to introduce third level fees and do more to make part-time education more accessible and affordable. If we wish to become more competitive and ensure continued growth, why are we cutting back and failing to make improvements in these areas? If we can sustain economic growth, there will be jobs for our own people and a need for others to come here to take up employment. If there is a downturn, the provisions of the Bill will mean that those who come here in 2004 will pay for our mistakes. The Government says we can get rid of community employment schemes because the jobs market is so healthy while introducing all sorts of restrictions in this legislation.

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment has stated her intention to introduce legislation in the near future to address economic migration. I agree that we need an immigration system but the Government has adopted a crisis management approach and failed to take positive steps to construct an open and encouraging framework. It seeks to control the process negatively through a system which criminalises people instead of promoting positive economic policies. There should be a green card system in regard to which the Labour Party has made proposals. The present work permit system means that people are indentured to one employer. They find it difficult to transfer from one work permit to another. There are restrictions in place which the Government should address with comprehensive legislation rather than by reacting to trends.