Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

Nearly 700 staff have been recruited across the asylum system, representing the biggest influx of staff in any area of the public service in decades. The Government has established three offices to deal with the asylum issue. As regards the immigration of non-EU nationals into Ireland, the Government has two basic options. We can operate an open door policy where anyone can come to Ireland without restriction, or we can legislate for procedures to control who can or cannot reside in our country. Since the foundation of the State, successive Irish Governments have chosen to do the latter, and this is in line with international practice in every other country in the world.

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