Tom Morrissey (Progressive Democrats)

We can examine the finer points of this kind of measure, such as whether it is affected by the Data Protection Act.

The situation resulting from the court's ruling is laughable. It means that we are, effectively, a sovereign State without borders. As legislators it is our responsibility to ensure we protect our borders. I agree with most of the Bill's provisions. I hope the Minister of State will clarify, in particular, the comments of Senator O'Toole which, if valid, raise serious questions, especially in regard to the competency of immigration officers, who are primarily gardaí, to detain or refuse entry on the basis of mental instability or otherwise.