Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

The 100-bed unit which could be used for people who have come to the notice of the immigration authorities, purely and simply concerns deportees, people who are awaiting deportation. In some existing prisons they mix with other prisoners. This will be a segregated location but there will not be a separate location for asylum seekers as a method of detention for them, other than those who come to this country without permission to remain in the State under the existing legislation. As Deputies are aware, the proposed legislation is strict in respect of who is lawfully and not lawfully in the State. As I indicated, it will also be used to house those awaiting deportation.

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