John Gerard Hanafin (Fianna Fail)

Given that it is 4 May and St. Joseph's Day, I welcome the opportunity to speak about migrant workers. I have difficulty with the apparent absence in the motion of any proactive system to prevent abuse and exploitation of migrant workers. There are a number of aspects to migrant workers. There is one aspect which is only in the remit of the courts and should be left there. If there was any wrongdoing, it was not in the Government's name. There is legislation in place to ensure this type of thing does not occur.

I could easily say we did not have the problems of migrant workers when the Labour Party was last in Government. The amendment to the motion brings us back to the question of post-ante and ex-ante, because the reality is that the Opposition is telling us after the event what we should have done but where was it before the event? We never heard what we should be doing because we all learned at the same time the difficulties that were arising.

Arising from paragraph 12.4 of the mid-term review of Sustaining Progress, and to assist in the preparation of proposals for consideration by Government, the Labour Inspectorate prepared a discussion document on its mandate and resourcing. This comprehensive document was circulated to the social partners in January this year so that their views could be obtained. We were all working together on this. As time passed, we all learned of the difficulties that were arising.

Immigration is and will continue to be essential to how we as a society develops and prospers. There is no doubt that at every level of income and skill migrant workers are assisting this country to become wealthy, for which we owe them a debt of gratitude.