Tom Morrissey (Progressive Democrats)

As someone who has employed migrant workers I feel very annoyed that there are unscrupulous employers who have gotten away with exploiting these workers for years. The greatest service we can provide for migrant workers is integration. The only way that is possible is through language. The difficulties with Gama Construction would not have happened if those workers had received language training before coming to Ireland. That is the best course of action if we need these people for the long term.

In the early days of the permit system many unscrupulous foreign agencies entered this country with lever arch files full of bogus permits. These permits were paid for by migrant labourers on Friday evenings. Every three or four weeks the labourers were threatened with deportation if they did not give money to bogus employment agencies. Some immigrants did not come as asylum seekers but came in good faith as economic migrants. Unfortunately, many still live here in fear and on the run. These people are being exploited. I am aware of situations where immigrants are exploited because they earn such good money that they do not want to return home. However, I am surprised that employers remain willing to employ people without permits despite risking fines of €250,000 for doing so. Labour inspectors may not be aware of such employers. I appeal to the Minister to grant an amnesty to these unfortunate immigrants because they contribute to this economy.