O'Donnell urges department for immigration

Immigration: The deputy leader of the Progressive Democrats has called for a new department to look after immigration and integration…

Immigration:The deputy leader of the Progressive Democrats has called for a new department to look after immigration and integration issues.

Liz O'Donnell told her party's annual conference that she was concerned about the traditional role and responsibility of the Department of Justice in these matters. "Border control is primarily a security function," she said. "Integration is a completely distinct concept and function."

If we were to welcome and ensure fair treatment for economic migrants, we needed a completely different mindset "and perhaps even a department. I believe equality and security functions should be separated."

Ms O'Donnell said the biggest change here in the last 10 years had been the move from mass emigration to net inward migration for the first time in our history. There was little time, she added, to plan to provide for our new arrivals and the challenge now was the integration of those whom we desperately needed in our economy.

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"There is no downside economically or socially. If there is it will be because of a failure of policy and a failure of governance."

She continued: "We should encourage a process of mutual respect and adjustment, encouraging newcomers to understand and accept basic Irish values and for Irish people to respect the cultural differences newcomers bring to Ireland. This is a two-way process requiring adjustments on both sides. It cannot simply be mandated by Government.

"Government can act as a catalyst to enable and fund a policy approach but the support of society as a whole is vital."

Minister for Health Mary Harney said Ireland was the most globalised country in the world and companies here could make the biggest profit compared to anywhere else in the world.

Referring to the Labour Party slogan "But, are you happy?" Ms Harney said: "Am I happy? I say yes, I'm a hell of a lot happier in the new Ireland."