Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

Like my colleague, Senator Finucane, I draw attention to the findings of the RTE "Prime Time" programme shown last night. I ask the Leader to invite the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to the House to address a number of issues that arose in that programme and which highlighted the plight of many immigrants working in Ireland, some of whom are exploited by their employers and others of whom are exploited by unscrupulous individuals. We need to address the anomalies that arose in the programme. Comment was made on one official who may not have been working within the boundaries to which we would expect such officials to adhere.

If immigrants, who contribute hugely to our economy, are being abused — we certainly heard of abuses last night — we need to address the problem. I would like the two Ministers to outline the steps they will take to ensure there is no abuse of these vulnerable people, who are far from their homes and who are trying to make Ireland their home.