David Norris (Independent)

This is an extraordinary situation. I grew up in a time of mass emigration. Now we have an inflow of workers into the country. It is an indication of economic health. It is also driven by globalisation and market-driven. It is not altruism on the part of Ireland. The Minister says the work permits system has readily facilitated the change of employment of the migrant worker. I do not believe that and plenty of cases would contradict the Minister's statement. There has not been easy transfer of the work permit. Employers have used their possession of the permit to restrict the human rights and wage entitlements of people in this country.

The Minister also said 5,160 inspections led to 14 prosecutions. The number of prosecutions is quite low. I understand the figure for this year is similar. It is important that additional personnel be put in place. In 1999 there were approximately 5,000 applications for work permits. In 2003 it was approximately 50,000, ten times the original figure. That is a real problem.

The solidarity shown by Irish workers and trade unionists is one of the things of which I am most proud. On a number of occasions when workers were being viciously exploited, and additional workers were bussed in, local Irish workers went on strike in solidarity with migrant workers. One example of this occurred in Mullingar. The Government should give as much support as those workers gave. I welcome the proposed introduction of a work permits Bill this year.

Although this may not be entirely the right time to raise this issue a senior Minister should know of these situations. I refer to hostels used for migrant workers and by the Department of Social and Family Affairs. There is a tragedy waiting to happen and it will probably happen in Dublin. I am serving notice on the Government regarding what happened in Paris recently. One of these shambolic hostels went on fire and people were killed. I know of a situation where an Irish property developer, who exploits migrant workers, has four listed buildings in Gardiner Street. He has savaged them and ripped out the insides. He is on the enforcement list of Dublin Corporation for breaking all its planning laws. He has a property on Adelaide Road that went on fire. Several people were injured as they jumped out of a second-storey window. On the same day he was in court on the enforcement issue Dublin Corporation granted him permission for 28 additional units in the backyard of the property in Gardiner Street. What is going on? Why are properties used by migrant workers and asylum seekers never inspected by the fire services and the health services? People will be killed. It is time the Government investigated this matter.