Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I compliment the Minister, Deputy Martin, on his speedy response to this crisis. I thank him for his comprehensive speech and for his hands-on approach to this issue. He has been in contact with the bank in the Netherlands and our ambassador is dealing with the matter.

One point which has not been made clear is that the Gama organisation is Turkish owned. In this case Turkish employers are exploiting Turkish workers. Our responsibility is to uphold the employees' rights under Irish law. It is appropriate that we have this debate today and I compliment the Leader on arranging it so speedily. I had hoped the report prepared by the inspectorate of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment would be published in this House. It should be published. I hope the injunction will be lifted and that the Minister can issue the document to the House to clear up this matter. It is important that the issue is clarified. It would also be appropriate to examine the legislation in this area.

Each year millions of men and women leave their homes and cross national borders in search of greater security for themselves and their families. Most are motivated to migrate by the quest for higher wages and better opportunities but some are forced to do so because of famine, natural disasters, violent conflict or persecution. Historically, emigration has been economically beneficial to host countries as well as to the migrants. Many of the fears surrounding the impact of immigration on developed economies are unfounded or exaggerated. There is no evidence, for example, that immigration significantly reduces wages or increases unemployment.

Immigration is one of the most important challenges currently facing Ireland and the other member states of the European Union. As a society, it is imperative that we deal with the issues posed by immigration in a positive, coherent and humane way. It is a relatively new phenomenon in this country, dating from the mid-1990s. We have changed radically from a country of emigration to being a receiving country. The experience of Irish emigrants in many countries was often one of discrimination and hardship. We should ensure that we give an opportunity to the people who come here and not treat them as our emigrants were treated in the United States and the United Kingdom in the last century. Our experience exhorts us to treat immigrants to this country humanely and with respect.

We have an opportunity to manage the phenomenon of immigration in a positive, non-discriminatory, person-centred manner which will benefit both immigrants and the Irish society and economy. We must recognise at a legal level the rights of migrant workers and the important contribution such workers make to the European and Irish economies. According to the 2002 census, almost 7% of people living in Ireland are immigrants. This has significant implications for the workforce. In many towns, approximately 10% of the population is made up of non-EU nationals.

According to research, difficulties in processing work permits remains a problem for more than a quarter of employers. To combat these delays the immigration system must be made more streamlined to provide for greater access to information, shorter work permit processing times and the provision of automatic permits for spouses. This will ensure Ireland has an adequate labour supply to sustain economic growth. Far from taking our jobs, migrant workers are often highly skilled and motivated. In general, having the enthusiasm to leave one's home country and seek a better life is a sign of determination and great enterprise.

The Minister announced today that he is appointing an additional 11 labour inspectors, who will place a special emphasis on sectors where migrant workers are concentrated. The group will consist of a team leader and ten labour inspectors. The additional inspectors will strengthen the labour inspectorate's capacity to ensure that workers in these sectors receive their entitlements under employment rights legislation.

The current system whereby employers hold the work permits is nothing more than bonded servitude. As a result, employees who are unhappy with pay and conditions are not free to change jobs. The Minister clarified the different categories but the fact that the permit is issued to the employer imposes a control on the worker and makes their life, in most cases, difficult. This has been highlighted in the case of the Gama workers. Almost 35,000 work permits were issued in 2004 compared to 45,000 in 2003. This is mainly due to the change in employment rights for citizens in the European accession countries who no longer need permits. There was concern on 1 May 2004 that there would be massive immigration here from the ten accession countries. This did not materialise. Our policy at the time was that we did not need permits for those from the 25 member states. This policy was correct. The highest proportion of work permits are issued to citizens from the Philippines. Some 864 permits were issued to them in the first quarter of 2005. This is appropriate because of the need for skilled workers, particularly nurses and other medical staff, in the health services. They are very welcome and the Minister and the Department should be commended on issuing permits for people's partners or spouses to allow them to come and work here.

Shortage of certain skills can slow economic growth and by filling these gaps migrant workers boost the economy and create more jobs. Migrant workers also provide short-term relief from the pressure an aging population is putting on pensions and health services. We need migrant workers in the Irish economy. In most towns in the country we have people who are from outside the European Union. In my area, Roscommon, the majority of workers are from Brazil. They are skilled in the workings of the beef industry and other industries and are making an important contribution to the economy. This has created an enlightened attitude in the area and the workers have integrated successfully. The Minister is aware of the number of people who have come to this country and are making a contribution.

We should be proud of our economy. Instead of our people emigrating to find work we are creating jobs in Ireland. Nothing succeeds like success. The more successful we are, the more people come to our shores. They must be treated with respect and I commend Deputy Joe Higgins on highlighting the situation of the Gama workers. I am sure that if this case had been brought to the attention of any Member of this House or of the Dáil, he or she would have dealt with it in a similar manner and ensured that the rights of the workers were enhanced. There is great acceptance of the role of migrant workers in the economy.

The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment is bringing forward a Bill that will put the employment permit arrangements on a legislative footing. This will provide greater accountability and transparency. The Bill will allow for a more managed economic migrant policy and enable the introduction of a green card system for highly-skilled migrant workers. I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Michael Ahern, and am delighted to see his involvement in this issue.

This is a crisis as far as Gama workers are concerned. I believe the matter will be resolved suitably. I hope the injunction will be lifted and we will have an opportunity to discuss this issue when the report is published.