Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I commend the Labour Party on tabling this Private Members' motion. We in this House cannot speak often enough of the importance of integration. I thank the Fine Gael lead speaker, Senator Noone, for outlining Fine Gael's support for this motion on integration and for the celebration of it, the PolskaÉire festival. I also wish to acknowledge the members of the Polish community in the Gallery. I have been privileged to have been able to employ a number of Polish people in business in County Clare. These have been some of the most amazing people I have met and their commitment to our society and community is second to none. They are involved in everything, including a fashion show for the GAA in which one of my Polish staff was a model. She was a great hit and as a result has been approached by some agency that may poach her. The best of luck to her. If that happens, I will be delighted for her. Our society has developed incredibly.

Today, representatives from the Immigration Control Platform spoke at the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality about the European policy on integration and people from other communities. It would be an understatement to say their contributions were shocking.To think that they speak for a portion of people in our society who believe we need to limit integration and close our minds to difference is shocking.

Áine Ní Chonaill and her colleague got a gruelling in the justice committee. I have to admire their use of language because in their opening submission they spoke about an armada of ships crossing the Mediterranean but the Chairman, Deputy David Stanton, asked them if they thought these people might be crossing the Mediterranean because they are in fear of their lives in their own countries, particularly in Syria, and are prepared to risk their lives, not because they want to leave their own country - if they had a choice I am sure they would want to stay in their own countries - but because they fear for their lives and are prepared to risk their lives for the chance of a better life and a better future. However, that did not seem to register at all with them. That discussion was held today in one part of these Houses but, thankfully, we are having a much more positive discussion in the Seanad Chamber. I agree with Senator Ó Clochartaigh that there are many things we have not got right in this country but that is not because of politicians. It is the effect of integration of our people where there is an understanding of alternative culture.

I note the Minister's comment that Polish is the second language here in terms of the numbers of people speaking it, which is remarkable. It is an indication of the way society has moved on, but there is an underbelly in this society that need to engage and that have a journey to travel. I hope that, over time, they will travel that journey and embrace the different cultures and opportunities that are at their doorsteps in every town and village in this country. People are not born nasty or insular. Circumstances have led to that and it is our job to promote the circumstances that create tolerance, integration and the type of society where everybody lives together in harmony supporting each other.

I have spoken regularly about the disgraceful situation that is direct provision here. Frankly, the Government did nothing about direct provision until the Minister of State, Deputy Ó Ríordáin, became Minister for equality and other areas. We are doing something now. It is shocking that we wasted three years in government during which we could have done something about it, but we did not.

This House was not shy in highlighting the issues and the disgraceful conditions in direct provision. An all-party Oireachtas group of Senators, which met on a regular basis led by Senator Ó Clochartaigh, our colleague, Senator Jillian van Turnhout, and others, were pounding away but getting nowhere until Deputy Aodháin Ó Ríordáin became Minister of State. I have absolute faith that in the lifetime of this Government, and I hope well in advance of then, this issue will be dealt with. I put down that challenge to the Minister, and I know he is committed to it. However, being committed to it is one thing; delivering on that commitment is something else. I believe we will see the second part of that now, the first part being the commitment to set up the review groups and so forth. I sincerely hope that those on this side of the House will be able to face into the next general election without the disgraceful legacy of direct provision, having done nothing about it.

I understand the reason Senator Ó Clochartaigh felt it necessary to table the amendment but I am sure he realises, as we do, that a sincere commitment has been given now and I hope he will reflect that sincere commitment by not pressing the amendment. He has made his point very well. There is a good deal happening, and it is not just fancy language. Thousands of Polish people across the country engaged with the recent Polska Éire Festival. They spoke about nothing else for weeks in advance of it. I commend the people who rolled up their sleeves and got involved in organising it. I know it will become an annual event, and I sincerely hope many more Irish people will partake in future Polska Éire festivals because it is all about integration and understanding. I suggest to other communities, such as the Czech community of which there are thousands here, that they should consider having a Czech festival. Other minority groups-----