Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I support Senators Morrissey and Ormonde in their call for a debate on the matter of a one-stop-shop for immigration issues. Unless we ensure the proper integration of our immigrant population, now at 10% and forecast to reach 25% by 2020, we will end up like other countries with detached immigrant communities which would be bad for the country. Senator Morrissey's call was well timed as it is time to plan for this issue.

I also support the call for a debate on deregulation. Senators Feeney, Norris and Ross have made the point with regard to certain professions. With regard to the medical profession, the bad practices we have seen in hospitals are due in part to the self-regulating system. Senator Norris is undoubtedly correct about the legal profession. The exorbitant fees charged are attributable to self-regulation. If one appeals those charges, the case goes to others in the same profession to adjudicate and they have a vested interest in the result. It is a Pandora's box situation and must be tackled. There would be much support for a Government that took on all these vested interests in the interest of the public.