Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The commission's statement is very strong. It spelled out that ensuring effective access for asylum seekers is an obligation under the Act and that the interim programme is not delivering. It said it is extremely concerned that effective access is being denied and that there are significant barriers. These are very strong statements. The commission does not support the interim scheme. Why is the scheme so restrictive? What is the indication that the new scheme will be dramatically different? It was said it will be a bit better and a bit more generous, but it would be hard to be worse.

I just do not understand the Government's position on this. There needs to be such a big change from the interim scheme to what would be acceptable in terms of human rights. I refer to the basic criteria that we have a long way to go to achieve. My questions are probably unfair because the delegates cannot know what is in the mind of the Government but-----