Neale Richmond (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join other Senators in marking the passing of former Senator and Deputy Monica Barnes. I attended the funeral this morning and the homily given by the priest was very fitting of the varied career she had both in politics and education. I know we are thinking of her husband, Bob, and her family at this time.

A recent survey found Irish people have an 80% positive viewpoint of immigration and migration in general. This is to be welcomed. When one looks at the atmosphere in the UK, France and across continental Europe where, unfortunately, far-right nationalist parties are beginning to gain traction with anti-immigrant rhetoric, it is good that Ireland, an open country with its own history of migrants - I know myself as someone who emigrated many years ago - is proud of and celebrates immigration. Will the Leader invite the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan, or the Minister of State, Deputy Stanton, to discuss the possibility of an international immigrant day in Ireland in the near future?