Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senators Brian Hayes and Henry said nobody should have to apologise for raising particular immigration cases. My heart is broken with stories about immigration, visas and asylum seekers. No matter what one does one cannot keep up with the flood of injustices which come to light each day by telephone, letter and e-mail. There seem to be inconsistent rules such as in the case of the Romanian couple to whom Senator Brian Hayes referred who are allowed to bring their baby to Romania but must leave their other two children. Furthermore nobody knows if they will be allowed to return. I am aware of the case of a professional Indian mathematician of a calibre not available in Ireland who wants his wife to come over. She must wait 12 months before she will be admitted. I do not understand it. The owner of the firm he works for has given details of his salary and qualifications so it is a mystery why his wife cannot be allowed in. It is amazing.

I agree that the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, even with the most outstanding Minister and officials, is not the right Department to deal with immigration. One cannot even get through to the appropriate section. It is most frustrating that people who do good work for good firms cannot be reunited with their families. The man to whom I refer will now return to India so his firm is denied the services of a fine worker and cannot replace him. I cannot make a breakthrough in the case and I have never in public life had such myriad difficulties to overcome.

The issue most damaging from a human rights perspective, and I will talk to Senator Bradford about this, is that of asylum seekers who have been here for four years or more and, having integrated into their community, are told to leave. A separate Department should deal with immigration and asylum seekers because the situation is not improving. Under freedom of information we obtained details of what barristers and solicitors earned "toiling", and I use the word advisedly, on behalf of asylum seekers. They earned huge money but there is no transparency on why people were turned down or why they were considered to be here illegally. There is no information on whether there were extenuating circumstances in any particular case or what steps were taken to identify such circumstances, such as whether they had children in schools or whether there were personal references that might have a bearing on the situation.

It is a mysterious system absorbing large amounts of public money for which there is no clear explanation. Of all the issues I have dealt with it is the one that preys most on the mind because one sees people going back to terrible conditions in, for example, Lagos where there might be five people in one bed, no jobs and no luxuries of any kind. It would cost very little to allow these people to work here in cases where we cannot otherwise get workers. Every day I try to clear three such cases and by the end of the day I have three more cases. I cannot get on top of it. Senator O'Toole said there was no logic to the system and I agree. Whether in respect of visas or immigration a type of Alice in Wonderland logic applies. There is no trail of events that one can follow. I agree a serious debate on immigration is required but there is so much to cover one cannot say where it would begin and end.

I agree that Educate Together is a fine organisation which is at a crossroads and needs proper developmental funding. I have been in touch with the Minister on the matter. The Senator defended the Office of Public Works and we will ask Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Parlon, to come to the House, although time is limited. Senator Ryan mentioned the ugliest building in Cork but I agree with Senator O'Toole that the OPW has done much good work in the State.

Senator Bannon will know with regard to the situation in Mullingar that capital funding is available but not current funding so the beautiful big buildings, being unoccupied, are only shells. I understand when the Tánaiste makes her statement on capital funding she will also address the need for current funding.

Senator Ó Murchú raised the issue of Christy McGrath on previous occasions and I am sure he is sponsoring the visit of John McDonald, MP, to Carrick-on-Suir on Sunday and to Buswells Hotel the following morning. I agree that the case should be taken up with vigour.

Senator Finucane raised the issue of Irish Travellers getting repatriated to Ireland and violations of human rights with regard to prisoners abroad. He also raised the energy crisis. We are now faced with a price rise of 36% and he asked if the Minister would come here to talk about that.

Senator Henry frequently raises the difficulties medical personnel and academics have getting into the country and, if they leave for a period, being allowed back again. This echoes what we discussed in Washington last week. I felt a fraud at times because the problems there are magnified many times here. The Senator also asked whether the Department of Health and Children might use Brock House, which is near St. Vincent's Hospital and was not allowed to be used for asylum seekers, and if Minister of State, Deputy Parlon would come to the House.

I am pleased to inform Senator Bannon that it appears the Electoral (Amendment) Bill will be taken next week. I am sure he will welcome it.