John Bruton (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 146: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the Government's policy on immigration. [18188/04]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The Government's policy on immigration is to facilitate the orderly migration of non-nationals to the State for a purpose and in a manner which is consistent with the needs of our economy, the security and authority of the State itself, the general welfare of our citizens and respect for the rights of immigrants. The Government's view also is that Ireland must, as a fundamental expression of its humanitarian ideals, afford protection to refugees and fair consideration, accommodation and sustenance to those claiming refugee status. The Government is determined to ensure that our immigration laws and procedures are respected, upheld and enforced, not alone in the interests of the welfare of our citizens, but also in the interests of the efforts of the international community to combat transnational crime syndicates that exploit and abuse the human rights of migrants.