Ms Patricia Murambinda:

I am also an asylum seeker. We are asking that the Minister make an order to provide that the freedom of information legislation applies to Garda National Immigration Bureau and the Irish National and Immigration Service. An individual garda can refuse entry to a person at the point of entry, which causes that person to then exercise his or her rights under the Geneva Convention. We need transparency on that issue also.

On the issue of deportation, the manner in which people are taken from the centres is appalling. They are beaten; pepper spray is often sprayed in front of children; and as they are usually picked up at 3 a.m., everybody at the centre is awakened, leaving children fearful and not knowing what is happening. There is a need for protection at the centres.

My final question relates to the Ombudsman who was given powers in respect of certain categories of refugees but not in respect of asylum seekers in prison. We believe we are being sidelined in this regard. I do not understand where human rights fit into this. We need transparency on this issue.