EU battles to find common immigration policy

IMMIGRATION is an issue of major concern to the voters of Europe, according to opinion polls.

The debate centred on persecuted people seeking refuge, but has been pushed considerably thanks to the rise of the right and their anti-foreigner policies in Europe and the need of governments to be seen to be doing something about terrorism post 9/11.

It's been top of the agenda for ministers from the EU states in recent years and it fell to Minister for Justice Michael McDowell to finalise a package of measures last month.