Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

I support the objections raised by Senator Finucane and other Opposition Members to the haste with which the Government is trying to push the Immigration Bill through the House. It is imperative that we give legislation due attention when we are discussing it. We must take time to consult interested parties concerned about the legislation and the impact it will have. Pushing the Bill through all Stages today denies us the right to go through this process. It is undemocratic to treat legislation in such a fashion.

I was handed a document entitled "A joint response to the Immigration Bill 2004" only two minutes ago. The document has been produced by the Immigrant Council of Ireland, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties and the Irish Refugee Council. It has just been published and I suspect I am probably the only person in the House who has it.