Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this, because amidst the discussion happening nationally we need to remember the humanity involved. We need to remember that many people in need of asylum are coming from situations we cannot imagine. Migration has an important role to play in this country, but this debate is not about migration. It is about the co-ordination of services to support those fleeing war and persecution and, importantly, services to support the communities these people are to become part of. Our history has informed our attitude of compassion to those who are in need of refuge. I am proud to stand here to say that. I am proud to say we have communities that have welcomed with open arms people going through the international protection process, and people who are beneficiaries of temporary protection. Yet, we are now seeing that this is being negatively impacted by the lack of coherent planning on the part of the Government, which has failed to prepare adequately and is not listening to local communities. Communities have rightly raised the issues of relating to an already stretched system. Lack of housing, schoolteachers and access to GPs are some of the issues raised with me. These issues are the result of bad policies pursued by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael for decades. When communities express concerns at the lack of services within their area, they are calling on the Government to fill the gap in services. Engagement is lacking, either with local representatives or the communities themselves. This is precisely because lack of preparation means the Government jumps at the chance to take any accommodation that becomes available to it, and the ability of the area to cater for the additional demand on services comes second.

In this regard, I will touch on comments made by the Minister at the beginning of this debate. The Minister said the Department carefully appraises each property before it continues. This is not the case in Cashel, where the location being considered is being used as a location for emergency homeless accommodation. The Department claims not to have been aware of this. Sometimes you just do not know what to believe. Was the Department unprepared and unaware, or did it believe it could plough forward? Who knows? The line of communication from the Department is virtually non-existent, especially at a time when clarity is needed. We have a duty to process asylum applications fairly and efficiently, and we have a duty to cater for those who are genuinely seeking protection. This Government also has a duty to support and provide for communities.

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