Mike Kennelly (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State. I speak in support of this motion which rightly acknowledges both the historical and contemporary realities of migration in Ireland. Migration is not a new phenomenon for us. For generations, Irish men and women have left these shores in search of opportunity, safety and dignity. They helped to build cities form Birmingham to New York to Brisbane and beyond and their legacy and culture lives on in the communities they shaped. It is this very history that must guide us on our approach to migration today, with empathy, pragmatism and resolve. Destinations like Ellis Island in New York, which operated between 1892 and 1954, recorded over 3 million Irish people who emigrated. To quote Senator Nicole Ryan, the real fear these people have is that the knock on the door will come to them as well, because there are still undocumented Irish people in New York. Ireland has become a destination for those seeking a better life. That is a testament to our prosperity, openness and values. Over 90,000 people have come here to work in the past three years and 40,000 students have chosen Ireland as their place of study. These individuals are not just numbers, as everyone has said here. They are nurses, engineers, carers and entrepreneurs. They are part of the fabric of our society now.

However, with opportunity comes responsibility. We must ensure our migration system is both fair and firm: fair to those who genuinely seek protection, who contribute to our economy and wish to integrate into our communities, and firm to those who abuse the system, who arrive without documentation from safe countries or who pose a threat to public safety. The Government's commitment to a new international protection Act is a step in the right direction to faster processing, stronger border security and efficient returns, which are essential to maintaining public confidence. Equally important is our investment in integration, language classes, community-led initiatives and access to education and healthcare. These are not luxuries; they are necessities for building cohesive communities.

We must also be honest about the challenges we face. The surge in international protection applications from just over 7,000 in 2021 to nearly 33,000 today has placed immense pressures on our accommodation system.The arson attack in Drogheda was a shameful act that must be condemned unequivocally. However, it reminds us of the need for transparency, engagement and support for local communities. A fair and firm migration system is not a contradiction. It is a matter of balance. It protects the vulnerable while safeguarding our borders. It welcomes those who contribute while ensuring that our laws are respected. It reflects the best of who we are as a nation shaped by migration, committed to justice and confident in our future.