Ned O'Sullivan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Like the last speaker, I had not intended to contribute but came in to welcome our new colleague. However, Senator McDowell is to be complimented for raising a very big subject here. Before we all get into our various boxes on the left and on the right, we should pause and stand back and look at some of the points he has made. My instinct is probably not the same as his on this issue. We in Ireland have vast experience of being accommodated and welcomed in many countries abroad. Certainly some of our emigrants were asylum seekers. In the days of the Fenians we were looked after in Paris and other places like that. However, the vast majority of our emigrants were economic emigrants. They went to Australia, England and America to better themselves financially and we should bear that in mind as well. Whatever I would say on the subject, I abhor totally the unlawful attack on the home of Deputy Martin Kenny, who is a fine Member of these Houses and who is highly respected. We cannot tolerate that. For the life of me, I am not a holy Joe but I think there is some Christianity in all of us and we have to do the best we can for people in this unfortunate plight. I really do not understand in my heart how some people in Christian Ireland are responding - minorities really - in the way they are. I am not saying it should be some place else. Kerry has done well in this and we have a good record, as the Leas-Chathaoirleach knows. If they come to my town, I assure the House that they will be welcome there. Certainly keep the numbers tidy and small and have a nice separation but that is not what I came in here to say.

I warmly welcome Senator Hackett to the Chamber and I compliment her. It is a great honour for herself and her family to come to Oireachtas Éireann. I welcome her family and members of the Green Party. I compliment her colleagues in the Civic Engagement Group, with whom I agree most of the time. There is a certain issue in Ballylongford which I will be talking about here tomorrow and on which we cannot agree. Senator Hackett's tenure cannot be too long but it will not be as short as people think. My money is on around March 2021.