Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Ms Logan and Professor Mullally. I attended some of Professor Mullally's human rights lectures some years ago and it is good to meet her again. Many of the questions have been asked. It is hard not to be sceptical of the Department of Justice and Equality on this issue. There has been an attempt to present this as a progressive step by the Department of Justice and Equality. It has been dragged kicking and screaming to this position. It had to be brought to the Supreme Court after years of arguing against a comprehensive plan on the right to work.

I agree in principle with everything that has been outlined in the document the witnesses prepared for us and the Department. I agree with the point made about six months without exception.

In terms of potential responses by the Department, my instinct is there should not be any sectoral restrictions. Have there been arguments other than on the basis of gaps in the labour market? It is wrong to approach the issue of people's right to work by considering gaps in the labour market that can be filled. The focus should very much be on the right of the person who is seeking asylum and their dignity and right to work. In the witnesses' view are there any legitimate restrictions on sectors or employments that Governments here or elsewhere have asked for that should be considered?