I would like to comment on the suggestion made by Brian Hayes, MEP, that "we need to have an honest debate about this, rather than this kind of attacking Johnny foreigner kind of UKIP, au français national, Sinn Féin position." I find that deeply offensive and think he should withdraw his remarks. By lumping Sinn Féin in with the National Front in France or anywhere else, or UKIP, he is trying to portray Sinn Féin as a racist party.

Of course, it is.

That is absolutely outrageous and does nothing to tackle the issue. Sinn Féin is clearly an anti-racist party. It clearly believes in multiculturalism. It has very progressive policies. It has consistently called for progressive reform of our immigration policies. This type of politics is despicable. I do not like the rise of UKIP. I do not like the rise of the far right anywhere in Europe. Any attempt to lump Sinn Féin in with those groups does nothing to tackle the issue. It shows how silly and pathetic Fine Gael has become. I am calling for a debate on immigration. Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh has done a significant amount of work on the need to reform the system of direct provision, but that has not happened. Sinn Féin is to the fore in making sure people are treated fairly and equally in this state. I ask for that debate to happen as soon as possible.