Michael Fahy has issued an apology for the way the Bermuda Government has handled the Pathways to Status Bill.

Speaking as the Senate opened its Budget debate today, Senator Fahy, the Minister of Home Affairs, conceded he had misunderstood the level of concerns of many struggling Bermudians.

He maintained that the controversial Pathways legislation would be for the good of Bermuda and that it could bring economical benefits for all, but expressed regret at his Government’s failure to communicate its plans more effectively.

Reflecting on five days of demonstrations outside the House of Assembly, Mr Fahy told the Upper House: “There are obviously people in this community that continue to hurt. That has been shown to be the case in the last couple of weeks.

“There are many here in Bermuda that feel that they have been excluded, not just from the way the Bill was to be proceeded, but I believe it’s a wider issue than just immigration.

“I hear a raft of issues: lack of opportunity in entry level international business, a feeling that children of Bermudians will not be given opportunity in the future. We have people in Bermuda who are long-term unemployed.

“This government is charged with tackling that issue. It remains my view that this government can do better communicating its plan for success.

“Despite what some may say that the government doesn’t listen, and this ministry doesn’t understand the community, I beg to differ.

“Where this government has fallen down is not communicating why some of the decisions have been made.

“When this government came into office, we were dealing with something that was very badly broken. I make no apology for doing everything we can to address that.

“What I do apologise for is that the way we go about things has not been as good as it could have been.

“It’s hurtful when people make accusations that we are not interested in Bermudians, and I say that as a father of three Bermudian children. I take it very personally for them not to have the opportunity for success in this country.

“I want people to understand in Bermuda that, as far as I’m able, no matter where I am, we will continue and I will push to make sure we move in a direction to help everyone.

“We will try to do our very best to bring along these individuals who feel they have not had an opportunity.”