Joe Conway (Independent)

Is aoibhinn liom an Aire a fheiceáil ar ais arís. Tá sé de nós aige a bheith anseo go rialta agus, mar a dúirt an Seanadóir ansin, bainimid go léir sásamh as é a bheith anseo.

I was somewhat of the hope that my colleague, Senator McDowell, would be here to ply his considerable wiles and perspectives on this question. I take it he is unavoidably held up so I will bat on as best I can.

I understand there is significant and broad support for these measures among our group. Earlier this week, I spoke of the phenomenon in the seanfhocal i nGaeilge of being a “Taidhgín an dá thaobh”. Well, we are over 50 years a member of the European Union and we cannot be Taidhgín an dá thaobh. Either we are in it or we are out of it and I think this significant measure is very inclusive and very protective for the European Union. As such, it merits great support and being looked at as an antidote to the existential threats that are coming at Europe from many directions, from over as far as the Urals and many of the movements in our political partners in the European Union.

It is remarkably sensible, inclusive and in line with what the European Union has put forward. As a sovereign nation we should be in there working with our partners to devolve the best system of immigration, third-country status and enlightened immigration policies that are needed at the moment. They are so needed but we have to tread very cautiously because we have to maintain the status of our European and democratic way of life. These things are singly important to all democracy-loving people on this island and across the Continent.

Tugaim mo fhíorthacaíocht don Aire agus don Rialtas. Go n-éirí go geal leis an rún seo.