Seanad debates
Tuesday, 1 April 2003
Employment Permits Bill 2003: Report and Final Stages.
We are sending out conflicting signals to the people from the applicant countries. On one hand, we are welcoming them but, on the other, we are being overly cautious and reactionary. The Minister of State said on Second Stage that our fears are unfounded. It would be wrong to welcome these people and then ask them to leave if the economy experiences a downturn. We cannot treat people in that fashion and it is in contradiction to the policy the Government adopted in respect of the Nice referendum.
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