PD policy on immigration for Cabinet

The Tanaiste has said the Progressive Democrat policy document on immigration will be presented to the Cabinet tomorrow

The Tanaiste has said the Progressive Democrat policy document on immigration will be presented to the Cabinet tomorrow. The PDs want 200,000 foreign job-seekers to be given permission to enter the State by 2007. The document is likely to highlight the divisions on immigration between the PDs and Fianna Fail.

Ms Harney told TV3's Agenda programme that without a more liberal immigration policy "we won't be able to implement the National Development Plan. We must have an immigration policy and we must have one very soon."

The PD leader also defended her party's role in Government despite a recent opinion poll which gave the PDs 2 per cent. "We have to take some of the blame. We are in business to market ourselves. But I think we won't be there forever unless people support us."