Mr. Ger Deering:

I thank the Deputy. The first answer to his question is that it is extremely important that people in the asylum process are brought within the remit of the Ombudsman. That has not happened yet. There is a commitment to it, but it is something that needs to be addressed. If they are not within the remit of the Ombudsman, there is very little the office can actually do. I fully agree with the sentiment the Deputy expressed. The Irish diaspora comprises something like 80 million people all over the world. We need to be able to accept people.

This morning we heard about a judge from Afghanistan who came to this country. She expressed her delight at being treated well here. She would prefer to be a judge back in her own country. It is important that we understand that when people come to us to seek refuge they have very often come through a very difficult situation and background. We need to be welcoming towards those people. The only way the issue to which the Deputy referred could be dealt with is by giving that remit to the Ombudsman so that my office can examine complaints into area. That is the solution.