Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

I support my colleague, Senator Jim Walsh. He was not accusing any Member on the other side of racism. He simply pointed to the attempt to ascribe a racist motivation to the Government side as one of the main planks of the Opposition case against the referendum. There was nothing improper in making such a point in the moderate fashion in which it was made.

As we are at the end of the process, Members should resolve to treat this constitutional amendment on its merits. The Fine Gael Party has indicated it will support the substance of the amendment. From my experiences on the doorsteps, it will be neither an advantage, or disadvantage in the elections. As Senator Tuffy said, people are more preoccupied by housing issues and so forth. One should not exaggerate the public interest in this issue. I have seen it raised only once on the doorsteps. It is time that this issue was depoliticised. As the Fine Gael Party agrees with the underlying merit of the constitutional amendment, what benefit is there in alleging certain motivations behind it? On the doorstep I will be pushing Fianna Fáil local and European candidates and have no intention of raising the referendum, unless asked about it. It will not be of the slightest extra benefit even if a candidate puts it in his or her literature. As people will see it as a separate issue it will not make them vote for or against particular candidates.

It is time to take the emotion out of this debate and to stop attributing motives to this side of the House. All Members do not want racism in this society. Our economy, as the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform eloquently explained, will need inward migration. The way to keep racism in check, and hopefully reduce it as people adjust to our changing society, is to have a fair, firm and humane immigration system which is not open to abuse. This debate is part of that wider picture.