Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Earlier this year, I read that Ireland was the only country in the world that had a population smaller today than it had in the early 1800s. Ms Magennis will know this. Another statistic is that, according to a book written by Mr. Raymond Crotty, entitled Ireland in Crisis: A Study in Capitalist Colonial Undevelopment, half of those who survived childhood during the 65-year period between the foundation of the State and 1987 emigrated. Of all the states in Europe, it is shocking to think that we are the only country that does not allow the right to work for asylum seekers who have been in Ireland for more than nine months. Denmark has not opted in because it has better and stronger legislation. While Ms Magennis has reported that we will be taking in 300 refugees, we have an appalling record on this matter, considering our history. It reflects public opinion. Our committee has held debates. Commenting on these issues as a public representative is extremely unpopular. Consider sites like thejournal.ie. Reading the comments is utterly depressing. People are coming from places like Syria and the Horn of Africa in sheer desperation. They are not like Ireland's economic migrants who had to leave to get work in Australia and Canada. They must leave because they will be killed if they stay. They have no future. They are on boats drowning. Despite this, if one opens thejournal.ie this evening and reads comments from Irish people, it is depressing, given our history. I just wanted to get that off my chest. I thank the Chairman for this time. We must be honest - we in Ireland have a problem communicating these issues. There is a complete ignorance of our history in our approach to these matters.

Ms Magennis referred to a single application process for asylum seekers. Everyone in the Houses agrees with this idea. I hope that the legislation will be debated later this year. What are Ms Magennis's thoughts on the direct provision system? The McMahon report is due next week. If refugees are lined up outside Ireland, how do we better align this approach with Ms Magennis's?