Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform's important decision to allow the Nigerian student deported last week to return to Ireland in order to complete his leaving certificate. It is obvious the Minister listened to the public outcry, particularly from the community in Palmerstown and the boy's fellow students, in respect of this case and intervened as a result.

It is only right and proper that any non-nationals seeking refugee status in this country who are pursuing their education should be allowed to conclude their studies here. Ireland, through the efforts of missionary brothers and sisters, helped to educate people in many developing countries and it has a responsibility to ensure that those who come to this country and who are educated here be allowed to complete their studies. I welcome the Minister's decision in respect of this matter.

On a matter which is not unrelated, the media highlights, on a daily basis, horrendous cases concerning the treatment of migrant workers who come to this country.