Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
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Question 535: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will extend amnesty to foreign nationals who have lived here for a minimum period of time and who have contributed on a positive level to their local communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32852/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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For several years now Ireland has been operating one of the most liberal economic migration systems in Europe with large numbers entering the State legally for employment purposes. In addition, we are one of the few states in Europe to have granted full access to our labour market on enlargement of the EU to citizens of the new member states. Currently, there are more than 130,000 non-nationals registered with the Garda National Immigration Bureau. They are legally resident in the State with up-to-date permissions to remain and renew their permissions when it is necessary.

Amnesties, in my view, undermine the system of legal migration by rewarding those who have no legal basis for their residence in the country including those who were unwilling to use legal migration channels. Also, they reward those who abuse our asylum system by claiming international protection when they are not in need of it. It is an integral element of any asylum system that those who are not in need of protection should be returned to their countries of origin. International experience is that amnesties in turn, encourage more illegal immigration.

I do not propose to grant an amnesty to persons illegally present in the State. Such persons should, if they wish to acquire legal status here, return to their countries of origin and seek to enter Ireland through the legal channels available.