Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I am not suggesting that I will oppose these technical amendments. I congratulate the Minister on the initiative he mentioned relating to a citizenship ceremony but is it his intention, in the context of the review inferred in the comments, to consider a nationality test? This matter came up with previous Ministers responsible for justice matters over the past ten years, and I am not suggesting putting unnecessary obstacles in place. The test would be in common with our near neighbour in the United Kingdom and the United States. It would examine a general knowledge of Ireland, an ability to speak and converse in English and matters of this nature.

We have learned and the Minister will continue to learn from the failures of other countries, particularly the UK, where the immigrant population was not integrated as effectively as it should have been, resulting in the ghettoisation of immigrants throughout the UK. I know the Minister and his Department will continue to follow the principle of dispersal in this regard to ensure there is greater integration, and I am thankful we have not seen racist reactions on a comprehensive basis that can be seen in the UK. Perhaps these amendments would afford the Minister the opportunity to expand a little on his thoughts in that area.