Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 26: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the consultation process he intends to initiate in regard to his recently published discussion document, Immigration and Residency in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16131/05]

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 62: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he will implement the commitment given in his Department's strategy statement for 2001 to 2004 to further develop an immigration policy for the State and to bring forward new immigration legislation, within a structured framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16132/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 26 and 62 together.

Immigration policy is kept under review in my Department on an ongoing basis to ensure that the migration needs of the State are properly managed and that adequate structures and procedures are in place to do so. My Department has also progressed work on the development of the proposed Immigration and Residence Bill with a view to bringing legislative proposals to Government later this year.

The consultation process which I have recently initiated, by inviting interested parties to submit their views on the discussion document, Immigration and Residence in Ireland, will contribute to the extensive preparation and research which has already taken place in the context of this new Bill. The deadline of 29 July 2005 will allow the views of interested parties to be considered in my Department as part of the ongoing work on the development of the Bill.

The discussion document, which builds on the earlier public consultation process initiated in June 2001, the International Organisation for Migration consultancy study published in August 2002 and the experience gained from our recent history as Ireland has moved from being a country of emigration to one of immigration, represents an assessment by my Department of what will be required of the new legislation. It sets out the range of issues to be considered and indicates how they are likely to be dealt with in the legislation and in future policy. The key proposals are set out in some detail in the discussion document and are summarised in an accompanying summary document. Both documents have been widely distributed and are available from both the Government Publications Office and in electronic format from my Department's website.