Don Lydon (Fianna Fail)

I call for a debate on migration, immigration and integration in light of a high level conference held on the matter in the UN and two reports from the National Economic and Social Council. The ESRI recently pronounced that workers from Romania and Bulgaria should be banned from Ireland or at least limited in the numbers who can come here. A Gallup poll conducted in September in Bulgaria showed that of 36,000 Bulgarians who wanted to work abroad, only 550 wanted to come to Ireland. We have not much to fear of the Bulgarians swamping us. It is a good subject for a debate.

Yesterday's ruling by the European Court of Justice was appalling and incredible. After all the progress that has been made in women's rights, this is retrograde step.

The Leader of the Opposition raised the issue of Senator Norris's Civil Partnership Bill. The Oireachtas must legislate for contentious and divisive issues. If we do not, we will be handing over the ruling of the State to the courts.