Results 1-14 of 14 for immigration speaker:Catherine Ardagh

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (2 Feb 2023)

Catherine Ardagh: I join Senator Black in commenting on the increase in the number of far-right anti-immigration protests across the city. We have seen lots of them in Ballyfermot and Drimnagh in the constituency of Dublin South-Central. Thankfully, and really encouragingly, local groups are coming together and hold protests against the far right. We have the Drimnagh For All and Ballyfermot for All groups....

Seanad: Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons) Bill 2021: Second Stage (29 Sep 2021)

Catherine Ardagh: I thank the Minister of State, Deputy James Browne, for coming to the House to introduce this legislation, which I very much support. Immigration is one of the biggest challenges facing European nations, including this country. It is important that we have legislation like this to tackle the smuggling of persons. Interestingly, one of the first sentences for involvement in human...

Seanad: Response to Covid-19 (Social Protection): Statements (1 Feb 2021)

Catherine Ardagh: ...does affect social protection. People are not able to get death certificates on time and it is affecting the progression of estates and whatnot. I am learning that another unfortunate result of the pandemic is that many immigrants are leaving the country on the basis that they do not have employment and fall outside the criteria for entitlement to the PUP. That is a real shame because...

Seanad: Deportation Moratorium (Covid-19) Bill 2020: Second Stage (9 Dec 2020)

Catherine Ardagh: ...her on her good news. I commend the Civil Engagement Group for tabling this Private Members' legislation. It is probably one of the first times we have had the start of a meaningful debate on immigration in this House and we must have many more debates like it. I refer to immigration and its impact on us as an island and a member of the European Union. Most of us are familiar with the...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (7 Jul 2020)

Catherine Ardagh: I agree with many colleagues who thanked our front-line workers, especially nurses, doctors and care workers in nursing homes and hospitals around the country. I thank our immigrant workers in particular, especially nurses and doctors, who were very much at the coalface of the Covid-19 outbreak. We have learned from academic reports that black, Asian, and minority ethnic, BAME, workers have...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (8 May 2019)

Catherine Ardagh: ...on the roll-out of the national broadband plan. I have raised an issue close to my heart on numerous occasions, namely, the Department of Justice and Equality and the processing of Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, INIS, applications for citizenship, stamp 4, stamp 2 and family reunification. There are major delays, sometimes of almost two years. It is not acceptable that...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (19 Feb 2019)

Catherine Ardagh: ...they are very destabilising. It is very unfair on those who live in Northern Ireland to have the policing service undermined while not having an assembly. I also raise the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, INIS, which I have mentioned in the House before. Where people are seeking re-entry visas and are legally in this country, they must apply for an appointment. I said...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Oct 2018)

Catherine Ardagh: I want to bring to the attention of the House the fact that immigrants from outside the EU who are seeking to renew their visas or obtain re-entry visas are suffering and being exploited due to the security levels relating to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, INIS, website. The INIS website was hacked by a bot that has taken up all the slots for appointments for re-entry or...

Seanad: Order of Business (17 Oct 2018)

Catherine Ardagh: ...in a picture. The INIS website does not have any of these security provisions so a bot has been able to go in, buy up the slots and sell them on Facebook for €25 to €30. This is unfair and immigrants are being exploited. I have brought this to the attention of the Department of Justice and Equality and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as have some of my...

Seanad: Order of Business (27 Jun 2018)

Catherine Ardagh: ...take in 25 migrants from the Lifeline, the ship that is stranded off the coast of Malta. However, we should be taking in more. It is time for the House to have an open and honest debate about our immigration policies and our implementation of same. This is one of the greatest issues facing not just Ireland, but Europe, so it is incumbent on us to be proactive rather than reactive in...

Seanad: Order of Business (31 Jan 2017)

Catherine Ardagh: ...the undocumented Irish in the United States and urgently establish a task force to make representations on their behalf. Of the numerous executive orders signed by the President, the newest anti-immigration policies scare me the most. I am sure many of us will take a stance on them today in the House. I formally oppose the anti-immigration, anti-refugee and anti-Muslim policies in...

Seanad: Order of Business (24 Jan 2017)

Catherine Ardagh: ...look forward to an excellent 2017 working with them all. I am disgusted and shocked by reports that staff working at Dublin Airport have been arrested and are being investigated as part of a major immigrant smuggling racket. It is believed that 100 or more people per year have been getting into the country as part of this scam. This alleged exploitation is of great concern to me.It is...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Jun 2016)

Catherine Ardagh: ...€3,500 from the national lottery, €521,000 from fundraising and €551,000 from donations. In addition, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has allocated €130,000 to Console to allow it support Irish immigrants in the UK. Console depends on the goodwill of thousands of people who do charity walks, runs and cycles around the country. I read in The Irish...

Seanad: Immigration (Reform) (Regularisation of Residency Status) Bill 2016: Second Stage (29 Jun 2016)

Catherine Ardagh: First, I thank Senator Norris for introducing the Bill. This issue is close to my heart. I am a solicitor and an immigration practitioner. Last year, in Dublin City Council, I proposed a motion, which received cross-party support, calling on the chief executive to ask the Minister to put an end to long-term direct provision for asylum seekers and to review the consequences for children...