Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

They do not. They were not elected to represent them. We are elected here, each and every one of us.

Things cannot continue in the same vein. This certainly also applies to our disastrous deportation policy, which is honoured more in the breach than the observance. I have always sought to ground my statements in fact. That is why I have asked the Oireachtas Library and Research Service to compile an analysis of the deportation procedures in place in other EU member states. I am awaiting that document, but one thing we know for certain is that Ireland’s policy of voluntary return is being absurdly abused. That is a fact. From parliamentary replies to questions I submitted, I know that the overall percentage of deportation orders that were affirmed or actually carried out between 2018 and May 2023 was just over 11%. This means, in real terms, that just 282 or 11.5% of the 2,442 deportation orders issued were actually carried out. That is of serious concern. As commentators such as Dr. Matt Treacy have pointed out, this means that if you are presented with a deportation order by the State, you have almost a 90% chance of having that order overturned and being allowed to stay here forever.

I also know from replies I received that the total cost of accommodating international protection or asylum applicants will increase by at least €500 million this year. In fact, the total cost for people in IPAS accommodation from the start of 2016 to 2022 is now in excess of €1 billion. No state with a responsible policy towards expenditure can ignore such costs. They must form part of a debate around sustainability and the impact of such costs on other areas of public expenditure. That is being responsible and not reckless.

The Government has effectively engaged in years of magical thinking on these issues. It has sought to promote a fanciful view against all common sense. There is no such thing as infinite capacity when it comes to meeting what are undoubtedly very real humanitarian obligations. It is extraordinary to think that we have arrived at a point where we have to spell out that obligations go both ways. There is no one-way traffic. There is an obligation to assist where we can, but there is also a higher obligation on the Government and the State to unashamedly and without reservation prioritise the welfare of its own citizens. We have put out the welcome mat to those fleeing here but, increasingly, this has resulted in this nation becoming a doormat for others to trample on with no regard for our laws or security. Just look at the thousands who arrived having destroyed their documentation.

We can survive being a welcoming nation, but we cannot survive being taken for fools and having our generosity abused for another decade or more. As a public representative, I will certainly continue to ask the questions. I will not be silenced and no finger-wagging will deter me from challenging the Government on what is a reckless approach to immigration.

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