Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

The Deputies cannot have it every way. There has been a significant flow of people from Nigeria to Ireland, where they claim asylum, with a very high rejection rate. The predominant motivation of the great majority of people who come to Ireland and claim asylum has been economic — let us be honest about it. If this country, which has had an inordinately high flow of asylum seekers from Nigeria in proportion to its population, were to do what Deputy Cuffe suggests, the situation would spiral out of control. I have reduced it dramatically by the steps I have taken. I thank God I am in the position of Minister because if the Deputy and other members of the rainbow coalition were making similar decisions, we would have chaos.

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