Seanad debates

Thursday, 3 July 2003

Immigration Bill 2002 [Seanad Bill amended by the Dáil] : Report and Final Stages.

 

I do not want to be too contentious but there is a certain level of hypocrisy. I have attended public meetings in my constituency and elsewhere, not necessarily about immigration, where the question of immigration arose from the floor. The general tone at the meetings was critical of the Government for not doing enough to control illegal immigration. It was pointed out, not unreasonably, that we were spending about €350 million a year on immigration and that 90% of cases were unfounded. Some are patently unfounded, yet it is costing the taxpayer €350 million a year to operate the system. I have been accompanied at those meetings by elected members of Senator Tuffy's party, and they are the first to agree with the crowds that the Government is not doing enough and should be doing more. We are doing more and thank everybody who is supporting us.

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