Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister and his final comments on how strenuously he will oppose today's court action by Gama. Hopefully, the Minister will win and both injunctions will be lifted. While I accept everything the Minister stated about his and his officials' contacts with the Finansbank in the Netherlands, do we know for certain that the moneys in the names of the workers are in the correct and appropriate amounts? I would like the Minister to reassure me on that point in his reply.

The Fine Gael Party believes the recent revelations of the shabby treatment of migrant workers in Ireland disgraces us all and that all of those involved should be ashamed of themselves. That exploitation based simply on nationality or even the colour of one's skin could thrive in 2005 is a sad indictment of our circumstances. Recent revelations of the exploitation of foreign workers in Gama Construction and similar documented cases are shameful. I commend the good work of our Dáil colleague, Deputy Joe Higgins, in seeking to address the plight of the Gama workers as well as the follow-on work of the Minister. It is my sincere hope that the labour inspectorate of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment will investigate, prosecute and punish those responsible for any impropriety, exploitation and fraud which has taken place.

If any good is to come of this matter and the recent events surrounding the deportation of young Olunkunle Eluhanla, it should be the emergence at last of a proper rational debate on immigration and a proper, thought-out Government policy on the matter. Fine Gael contends that Ireland should be honest about the need for immigration, the benefits it can bring and the repercussions of failing to welcome inward migration. It is a simple fact that Ireland will need to import the skills required to ensure that our economy remains a world-class player. The Minister has said as much. The economy has the potential to post cumulative growth of 45% between now and 2016, a performance which will be fuelled by immigration according to a new commentary from Goodbody Stockbrokers. Growth of this magnitude would see Ireland's economy expand at more than twice the average eurozone rate over the next decade. Goodbodys went as far as to say that inward migration will be vital to achieve the outlined trend in growth.

It is against this background that we have seen the absurd farce of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform deporting and then bringing back a leaving certificate student while construction companies pay migrant workers €1 an hour to build this country. As a public representative, I am tired of this phony debate and the constant problematising of the immigration issue. While it may be politically astute to give the nod to the baser instincts of some sections of the electorate, it is foolish to think the economy can survive without a flow of migrant labour to staff the service and construction industries.

Such was the level of ridiculousness in the recent deportations that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform did not himself seem to know the law. Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 requires the Minister to consider personally representations made on the granting of permission to remain in Ireland. Furthermore, the Act sets out 11 criteria to which the Minister must have regard in determining whether to sign a deportation order. Essentially, he is exercising a quasi-judicial function in giving consideration to these statutory criteria. The normal protocol of ministerial delegation, as cited in the Dáil by the Minister, does not apply in respect of the exercise of powers on issues of significant importance where the Minister is required to act personally. It now appears that the Minister, Deputy McDowell, failed to carry out his obligations under the Act. While junior officials considered the issues in question, the Act puts the onus on the Minister to examine the case before making a deportation order. In his statements, the Minister used the formula that the case "was examined" but failed to state by whom.

The Government needs to adopt an integrated, planned immigration policy. Immigration policy is shaped by political kite-flying like the recent news on a green card system. That might get a Minister through a news slot but does not provide an alternative. Things are happening too slowly. The sight of long queues at the immigration centre in Burgh Quay in Dublin is not fitting for a modern nation. The continued limbo in which many immigrants find themselves, which allows exploitation to thrive is causing misery and it is damaging the economy.

Let us be up-front and honest. Let us establish the economic case for immigration, set a level and put in place a sensible, compassionate immigration policy that will allow the engine of the economy continue to run. It is essential to reduce waiting times for the assessment of applications to allow people to work and contribute to their new society, and avoid simply assigning them to the human scrap-heap until some official manages to get round to their application form.

In its latest quarterly report, the Economic and Social Research Institute has called for immigrants to be given the fullest opportunity to contribute to the economy. In its spring economic commentary this Government-backed body has predicted growth in the economy of 5.7% this year and a similar figure for next year. According to the main author of the bulletin, Mr. Danny McCoy, research shows immigrants in Ireland are not using their educational and other qualifications to their full potential, with many holding jobs for which they are overqualified. The ESRI believes that if more migrants worked in occupations that utilised their educational abilities it would increase real gross national disposable income by 1% rather than the 0.4% currently attributed to them.

As a modern European nation, it is time to say to ourselves that an economic imperative exists for us to facilitate migrant workers in addition to a moral duty for us to accept immigrants. The ESRI paints a picture of educated teachers, doctors and lawyers arriving here in an effort to improve their lot and failing to have their expertise recognised and valued. It is the case, for example, that a former television news editor, responsible for the main Venezuelan TV news, is currently working in a sandwich bar in Dublin.

I implore the Government to establish a proper immigration system, one which takes into account skills shortages and the net benefit inward migration can have which would uphold our commitments as a wealthy, economically advanced nation. This is one of the most pressing social and economic problems we face. I say to those inside and outside these Houses who frown on such an agenda that without immigration, who will build our roads, nurse the sick, operate on us, drive our buses, serve us in restaurants? In short, who will keep this country running? It will not be Irish people alone because there are not enough of us.

These are challenging times. Our country is changing every day. Immigration is a necessity, but so also is proper respect and dignity for our immigrant population. Decent pay and decent conditions is all they ask. Let us hope they do not have to ask for too much longer. I look forward to the Minister's response.