Ms Sue Conlon:

We are talking about a form of institutionalised living that is not replicated in every other place. Of course, there are detention facilities in other countries which are even worse than direct provision but at the same time there is independent living in other EU states. It is difficult to always draw parallels with other EU countries and, indeed, other institutions. It is not unusual for a person who is in a position where he or she is seeking protection to be the person who is not believed when a complaint is brought in any system that exists because there is always a default that it must be the person who is there on behalf of the Government or the Department who is probably doing the best he or she can.

I would add that we know that in each centre there exist persons who curry favour with managers and who, therefore, will give information some of which is false. Some fabricated statements have been made during the course of these protests, to the RIA, to the Ministers, to the media, which have made out that some of these protests have not been legitimate and have not had real grievances that they have been addressing. It is a controlled environment, as Mr. Ng'ang'a stated. Whether it exists elsewhere, when there is institutionalised living it allows for a controlled and fearful environment in which there can be consequences of transfer, not necessarily of refusal or deportation. Nevertheless, the latter fear exists in this situation.

Mr. Ng'ang'a would better deal with the other question.