Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

My experience is that 16 year olds and 17 year olds who come in from a number of these states, and one state in particular, have crossed half the world to get here. Very frequently the account given shows a considerable degree of independence of mind on their part. Their histories show that these are functioning people with a good appreciation of their whereabouts etc.

Once a person is of full age and back in one's own country, it is not the Irish taxpayers' duty to further assist that person. A person in those circumstances has already turned down an offer by the State of an air fare home at a time of their own choosing. In those circumstances, the services of the International Organisation for Migration would be available to such people on their arrival home, but these people have turned that down. The Deputy should remember that nobody gets on to a charter flight in this regard who has not turned down a generous repatriation package from the State to go home unescorted in their own time on a commercial flight. In those circumstances, the people are in a position to have contacts awaiting them on arrival.

See this speech in context