Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

The Liu Chang case exposed serious defects in our immigration laws and left the State in a vulnerable position. I do not dispute the need to upgrade our immigration laws. We need to protect our citizens and those coming into the country and ensure their rights are upheld and I doubt anyone on this side of the House would dispute that. However, I have reason to question the Minister's good faith on this issue.

The Bill goes further than placing existing practice on a statutory footing. It introduces new concepts into Irish law which have been outlined many times to the Minister. However, I find the way in which this Bill has been rammed through the Houses most reprehensible. I think the Minister of State was present when this side of the House objected to the way in which the Bill was dealt with last week and walked out.