Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

One of the members, indeed. The Minister of State has a great sense of social justice. He is not afraid to express his view or to say that something is wrong when it is wrong. That is refreshing in politics because while we might think we get a lot of it, we actually do not. On that note, I wish him well over the next three to four weeks. I hope it works out for him.

I support this Private Members' motion and I am glad that an amendment has not been tabled because this is a serious issue for Seanad Éireann, which has prided itself on its pioneering campaigning on issues of exceptional importance to the citizens of Ireland. This is an issue of exceptional importance to the people of this country. I say this country because the people who come here seeking asylum and shelter do so because they are escaping a very difficult situation in their native countries. Let us not forget that millions of Irish people left here as a result of poverty and travelled all over the world. While they did not receive a universal welcome everywhere they went, by and large they did. When they were allowed to work, they made a significant contributions to the countries in which they worked. We all know of famous people such as John F. Kennedy and others who were enormously successful and who were the grandchildren and great grandchildren of immigrants from this country. There were thousands more who have repeated - perhaps not to the same extent - the phenomenal success in the areas to which they moved.

What is the difference between that and people coming to this country now that we are a First World country, in spite of our recent difficulties? There is none. The people who come here seeking refuge should be allowed to demonstrate their talents, contribute to society, build our economy, be part of our future, help us to carve it out and sculpt how this country sees itself in future. There is talent in the direct provision centres. I have visited a number of them with my good friend Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh who has excelled himself on this issue and who often makes some of us question whether we are doing enough. Senator Ó Clochartaigh never stops, which is to his eternal credit.

The all-party working group with Senator van Turnhout and others has driven this issue. It is an issue that has been driven by Seanad Éireann. The Minister empathises with the situation and, after being elected, set up a working group which made very fine recommendations that are being implemented, although not as quickly as we would like. However, the political will exists and I commend the sincerity with which it is being driven. There is much work left to be done. I hope this Government is returned after the election. If it is I would be very confident that the job will be finished. In that case, we will put an end to the despicable situation regarding direct provision and will treat people who come here for refuge with some dignity and respect. We will harness their talents, what is good about them and their culture and integrate them, their culture, their ways of life and their beliefs into our society to foster a better Ireland where everybody is equal.