Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I always listen to what the Deputy says and I appreciate his comments. However, I recall about two months ago when I announced the international protection Bill was being brought in and we were going to expedite the process to three months, he said that was cruel. We cannot have it that expediting it to three months is cruel and that it is cruel to leave people for a long period. The process needs to speed up. To answer the Deputy’s question directly, I would not have done anything differently in respect of the recent deportation flight. It is not a pleasant business. It has to be done. If we have a system in this country where people who are refused asylum cannot be compelled to leave, the system will become meaningless. Everyone will come on the basis that if they go to Ireland, even if they do not get asylum, nothing will be done to remove them. It is important that we have a system that has consequences if people fail to get asylum. I will not do an amnesty. I do not like amnesties in any walk of life. It sort of condones law-breaking. I certainly will not be doing an amnesty in respect of this or any other matter.