Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Yes, there is a lot of stuff between the Department here, the secretariat and the European Ombudsman on that.

Next is petition No. P00026/23 regarding equal opportunities for HSE counselling positions, from Ms Áine Daly. This petition relates to the exclusion of the National Association for Professional Counselling and Psychotherapy members from the eligibility criteria for counselling positions within the HSE. The NAPCP is one of several independent regulatory bodies for counselling and psychotherapy in Ireland. The NAPCP comprises members at every level of the counselling profession, including student, pre-accredited, accredited and supervisor. Despite robust accreditation requirements comparable with those of other regulatory bodies, including level 7 qualification and 450 hours' clinical practice, the NAPCP is currently excluded from consideration for counselling positions with the HSE. This continues despite overwhelming evidence that Ireland is facing a mental health crisis as those in need remain on extensive waiting lists for vital supports. The NAPCP is calling on our elected representatives to lobby the HSE, calling on them to give full consideration to NAPCP members, thus drawing from a wider pool of highly-skilled and qualified mental health professionals.

The case manager corresponded with the HSE. In its reply, the HSE stated CORU is Ireland's multi-profession health regulator, whose role is to protect the public by promoting high standards of professional conduct, education, training and competence through statutory registration of health and social care professionals. The HSE also stated that clinicians registered with the National Association for Professional Counselling and Psychotherapy are not typically employed by the HSE or eligible for roles in HSE mental health services. Individuals employed by the HSE in services for people experiencing mental health problems tend to come from disciplines that have statutory recognition and regulation or are in the process of achieving it. The HSE response concluded by advising that it may be productive for the NAPCP executive to engage with the counselling and psychotherapy registration board of CORU, if this is not already occurring.

This petition was further considered on 30 November 2023 with the following recommendations: that the committee should write to CORU regarding both petitions, namely, Nos. P00009/23 and P00026/23, and seek an update on the opening of the register; and that the committee invite CORU to a meeting, as petition No. P00009/23 relates to the same issue with CORU and counselling and psychotherapy. The secretariat received a detailed response from CORU. The recommendation is that the correspondence from CORU be forwarded to the petitioner for comment with 14 days. Do members wish to discuss this, or is that agreed? Agreed.

Petition No. P00043/23 is a request for a meeting on a bilateral agreement between the Department of Foreign Affairs and Egyptian Government officials regarding child abduction. The petitioner is Ms Mandy Kelly. This petition is a request by an Irish mother to have a meeting between the Department of Foreign Affairs officials and Egyptian ministry officials regarding a proposed bilateral agreement on child abduction cases. The updated information on 19 January 2024 is that the Department of Justice has still not responded to the correspondence issued from this committee despite repeated reminders. The initial correspondence was issued on 15 November 2023, with reminders on 5 December 2023, 19 December 2023, and 19 January 2024. The recommendation is for a further reminder to the Department of Justice to respond urgently to the petitioner's concerns. Is that agreed? Agreed.

Petition No. P00044/23 proposes to close borders for refugees and asylum seekers and to deport all illegal, unvetted and undocumented migrants. The petitioner is Mr. Frank Conway.

The petition states that Ireland has witnessed unprecedented levels of growth in immigration, resulting in its population growing exponentially and consisting of over 20% non-nationals, and that much of this growth is due to recent open border policies of the State and the decision to accept large numbers of immigrants who are claiming asylum and-or refugee status. It also states that, as a member of the EU, Ireland finds itself in a unique position, along with Demark. It highlights that according to the Treaty of Amsterdam of 1997 and the Treaty of Lisbon of 2008, Ireland has an opt-out from legislation adopted in the area of freedom, security and justice where it does not have any obligation to take in refugees and asylum seekers. The petition states that the Government of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party has failed the people of Ireland by not adhering to the unique position negotiated by Ireland and voted by the Irish in a referendum. It also states that the current Government has acted in a disingenuous way by ignoring the will of the Irish people and refusing to exercise Ireland's right to opt out on the matters outlined above. It further states that according to the Dublin III Regulation, the first member state where fingerprints are stored or an asylum claim lodged is responsible for a person's asylum claim. It points out that many applications for international protection occur in another Dublin country before journeying to Ireland. It indicates that it has been reported that our Government is flying asylum seekers into the country and that Ireland must close its borders, maintain its opt-out position, deport fake refugees and undocumented, unvetted asylum seekers.

The secretariat wrote to the Department of Justice and received a response which states that Ireland has and continues to benefit significantly from immigration and that immigrants have contributed to our economic expansion, filled critical skills gaps and diversified and enhanced our culture, which is becoming increasingly globalised, as is the case in most developed nations around the world. It also states that the Government recognises the value and importance of immigration, is committed to ensuring that Ireland is an attractive place to live, work and study and is also committed to upholding the integrity of our immigration systems. The response indicates that these are the processes under which people from outside the EU come to live in Ireland.

The response goes on to state that Ireland is a signatory to 1951 United Nations refugee convention and participates in relevant provisions of the common European asylum system, including 2004 qualifications directive, the 2004 common procedures directive, the Dublin III Regulation, the EUORDAC regulation and reception conditions directive. It further states that EU member states have a shared responsibility towards those seeking protection and work together to ensure protection applicants are examined robustly and fairly, and following uniform standards across the EU.

The fourth part of the response indicates that the migration and asylum pact is a set of regulations and policies that aim to create a fairer, efficient and more sustainable migration and asylum process for the European Union. It highlights that the pact is designed to manage and normalise migration for the long term, providing certainty, clarity and decent conditions for people arriving in the EU. It also indicates that the pact seeks to establish a common approach to migration and asylum that is based on solidarity, responsibility and respect for human rights and includes reform of the common European asylum system and measures on legal migration, integration, combatting migrant smuggling, returns policy and the external dimension of migration - co-operation and partnerships with third countries.

The Department indicates that it is actively examining all these EU migration and asylum pact proposals in order to identify how best Ireland might implement these measures should the Government decide to opt-in. It states that the Government will continue to build efficient and effective migration pathways for the essential workers Ireland needs to support its society and economy as well as maintaining robust border controls at our ports and airports to ensure those arriving are legally entitled to enter Ireland. It also states that the Government recognises the importance of supporting the maintenance, development and promotion of an inclusive, cohesive Ireland, where the humanity and dignity of all persons is recognised.

The recommendation is that the correspondence from the Department of Justice be forwarded to the petitioner for comment within 14 days. Is that agreed? Agreed.

P00045/23 is entitled "Accept our cash". The petitioner is Mr Peter Donohoe. The petition states that more and more businesses and organisations in Ireland are implementing a policy of card and contactless payments only for financial transactions. It indicates that this policy cannot be accepted in Ireland because it discriminates against many cohorts and sections of society that, when it comes to paying for a service or product, use cash instead of contactless payment methods. The petition further states that people discriminated against due to this policy include many of our elderly, the homeless, intellectually disabled individuals, recent immigrants and those who, for their own personal and private reasons, might not have bank accounts, credit cards or smart phones. The petition points out that while card and contactless payment systems have many benefits for businesses and customers and should continue to be used, cash must always be accepted as legal tender as well. It indicates that a payment policy that involves discrimination against any group or individual cannot be tolerated. It is stated that the people who have signed this petition demand that the Government implement legislation which will make it illegal for any business or organisation to refuse cash where any financial transaction is to take place. Those people demand that such legislation, which will put an end to the discrimination outlined by them, be introduced immediately and that discrimination of any nature can never be tolerated in our country.

The secretariat wrote to and received responses from the Department of Finance and the Central Bank of Ireland. The recommendation is that the correspondence from both be forwarded to the petitioner for comment within 14 days. To be fair, the Government is talking about legislation that will address the issues this petitioner has raised. We will send the correspondence to the petitioner and await a reply.