The problem migrant workers are facing in bringing their immediate families to Ireland was highlighted by Pat Carey (FF, Dublin North West).
Mr Carey said it was time to look on migrant workers as being equal in every sense to the workers coming from the indigenous community in terms of rights, pay rates and conditions of work.
"One of the most serious problems for migrant workers is their inability to obtain permission to bring their immediate families to live with them. They are repeatedly asked to prove they are economically capable of looking after their families.
"Through sheer hard work, some have saved up to €20,000 but are still told they do not satisfy the criteria and will not get permission to bring their families to live with them."
Speaking during the debate on the Employment Permits Bill 2005, Mr Carey said no criteria were defined as to the amount of money required to be on deposit and the granting of permission seemed to be totally at the whim of an official.
Mr Carey said it must be accepted that if migrant workers were allowed into the country, "for our own selfish reasons purely to sustain and expand our economy", they should also be extended the most basic human rights.
