Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Yes, it is. In recent weeks and months, there have been a number of additions to the list. The formula the Minister came up with and brought to Cabinet yesterday is an intelligent way to proceed. It possibly is more agile than just naming one or two countries. It allows for accelerated processing for whichever country is number one on the list at any time. At the moment, that is Nigeria. If it is a different country in three, four or five months from now, it allows for an immediate faster processing time for applications from that country. There is agility and flexibility in the proposal the Minister has brought forward. That is good.

As for what the Deputy has said, if anyone takes offence to it, I certainly do not. I think it is logical. This country wants to help people who have a legitimate right to come here and the best way of being in a position to do that is to make sure those who do not have a legitimate right to come here get a quicker answer. The two are absolutely tied together and we have to be honest about that. We can best help those who are seeking humanitarian assistance by making sure we have faster answers and faster returns policies and deportations for those who do not. Of course, there are other ways to come to Ireland as well and we need to broaden that conversation. We have skills shortages, and there are work permits and other ways for people to come to Ireland for economic reasons. Indeed, they are very welcome.