Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Therefore, I will zero in on the Department of Justice and Equality.

On page 41 of her report the Information Commissioner disagrees with the Minister in two areas, namely, the Refugee Act and the Employment Equality Act. I raise the subject of justice most particularly because it is one on which the Information Commissioner has spoken previously. In particular, in respect of immigration, and all matters pertaining to refugees and their status in the State, there is certainly a common conception, not least among refugees, that there is a veil of secrecy and that the system is almost impenetrable. I ask the Information Commissioner to say a few words on the two items mentioned on page 41 of her report. Thereafter, she should offer the joint committee a broader commentary on the subject of justice and the basket of issues pertaining to the immigration process, refugees and asylum, as well as her views thereon in respect of transparency, accountability and the availability of information.