Seanad debates

Wednesday, 22 October 2003

Irish Nationality and Citizenship and Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Bill 2003: Second Stage.

 

I have stated on previous occasions that the Government must draw up more comprehensive immigration procedures that would involve, for example, a green card system similar to that which operates in the United States. I do not make this point in respect of the Bill, which I welcome, but our immigration policy is based too much on crisis management and a negative approach. I realise that there are people who abuse the system and provision must be made to deal with them. That is why we need an immigration system in the first instance in order to ensure that everybody is clear about how to qualify for citizenship, etc. We must develop an immigration system that is positive in nature before putting in place various measures to tackle abuses of that system.

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