Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

It is also the right thing to do. We learn as we go along. I stated before — Senator Mansergh made the same point — that in 1999 only 5,000 work permits were issued in this country. By 2003, 50,000 were issued annually. Since May 2004, 200,000 people have entered the country. It is rapid and fast-moving.

I met Bruce Morrison before I formulated the Bill and I had constructive engagement with him on it. He observed that Ireland has the highest per capita inward migration level globally. I do not know whether it is accurate. It may be disputed. The rate and pace has been extremely fast and enormous.

Senator Leyden spoke eloquently about the emigration experience of the Irish, which is always useful in the context of this debate. Senator O'Rourke also alluded to the fact that we should always remember our own who emigrated abroad, the experiences they had and the degree to which they contributed to economies and societies such as America and Australia and others across the world. It informs our mindset on how we approach people who now come here to settle, live and work.

Senator Leyden raised the issue of abuse of workers' rights and was particularly supportive of the Bill. The Bill is strong on worker protection. We have learned lessons from what has happened and people cannot complain about the strength of the Bill in this regard. We have good examples of where people did what they should not.

The vast majority of employers will welcome this. Abuse of any worker, irrespective of nationality, creates an unsatisfactory situation for all concerned. It is particularly reprehensible that already vulnerable people coming to this country would be exploited in such a manner. From a humanitarian perspective for the individual concerned, it is wrong. A lack of uniform standards also creates an uneven playing pitch in economic activity and competitiveness in tendering for projects.

Senator Norris raised a number of issues, including why an employer should continue to employ. Senator O'Rourke also posed that question. Many employees want to pursue a job. The Bill is based on the offer of vacant jobs. I accept that. An employee in another country may see a job advertised and apply for that job and a work permit. Equally, in some instances the employer may do so, such as in the case of Filipino nurses. There is nothing wrong with the Health Service Executive or the Mater Hospital making an application for a work permit on behalf of the employee. It saves them €500 if nothing else. The employer can organise and facilitate a great deal for the workers. The workers need not necessarily go down that route.

The Bill allows an employee to change employment after a year.