Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to be associated with the words of welcome, congratulations and satisfaction from my colleagues on the appointment of Ms Logan who brings great independence of mind and diligence to her new functions. We have been well served by females in ombudsman roles. Both Ms Logan and the other Emily, Ms O’Reilly, have distinguished themselves in their respective roles as Ombudsman and Ombudsman for Children. In doing their jobs in the way they did they both managed to highlight the importance of their roles. I wish Ms Logan well in her new undertaking and I am pleased to hear and see her. I am sorry that I was not present from the beginning of the meeting, but I have read the presentation.

It is most important that the commission develop links with various Oireachtas committees. We have a weak parliamentary system, about which we must be honest. One of the flaws in our democracy is that what Government wants, it gets. The old line from Gilbert and Sullivan that I always voted at my party’s call and never thought of thinking for myself at all is one of the problems in our democratic system. One of the ways this can be challenged and, I hope, changed over time is by important bodies such as the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission engaging with various committees, including this one. That would help to enhance the commission’s independence, a very important value that must be jealously guarded, but it would also assist committee members, be they in Government parties or not, to ask important questions of those in power.

I very much welcome the question that was asked and the response on the direct provision system. It must be an issue that should be right up the priority list. The idea that we can treat people as second-class citizens, as we are doing, on the basis that they are not yet citizens, is simply incompatible with any sane or sensible concept of human rights. I will ask a question, but I am entitled to make a statement.