Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)

I take the opportunity to acknowledge the commitment given in the programme for Government to "introduce comprehensive reforms of the immigration, residency and asylum systems". This is certainly an area in urgent and dire need of such reform. I hope this commitment includes as a given the reform of the system of direct provision. In Galway city alone there are three direct provision centres and although the residents are not permitted to vote in general elections, I interact with them on a weekly basis: they visit me at my clinic; I meet them at community events and encounter some of them who have even ventured further and become politically active. What is so obvious to me and what I find lacking so often in the debate on these matters is that the residents in these centres - refugees and asylum seekers - are normal people with hopes, dreams and ambitions, as well as problems, troubles and challenges, just like every other human being.

There is a political difficulty in raising this issue because of a backlash from sections of the media, rage among small elements of the public and stark indifference on the part of many. I have received hate mail only once in my life in response to a letter I wrote to a local Galway newspaper on this topic. In the letter I cited as an example a middle aged woman whom I had met the previous weekend. She was from central Africa and had been in the asylum system for three years. She did not know how long her application would take to be processed or what her future might be and she was frightened. She shared what was once a small hotel room with two other women whom she did not know and she had no personal space or privacy. Her life was tedious; she could not work or afford to access education and her allowance of €19.10 a week did not allow her much scope when a return bus fare to the city centre cost €3.20. For three years she did little or nothing, the only exceptions being taking English lessons and interaction with fellow residents. Comprehending a life of doing nothing for a prolonged period is all but impossible. The very tedium, nihilism and pointlessness of it all has huge implications.

During a visit to one centre in Galway I witnessed a fist fight, the cause of which was the rota for access to the communal washing machines. I am told by residents that such outbursts are a regular occurrence, the result of built-up tension, frustration and aggravation. They are also worried about the prevalence of depression, but they are often very dubious about reporting problems or concerns. They are afraid to report matters for fear their application might be prejudiced.

I am certainly not alone in having concerns. The Free Legal Advice Centres argue that the system of direct provision does not adequately meet the health, legal, social and cultural needs of residents. The Jesuit Refugee Service warns of the long-term negative institutional effects of direct provision centres. Human rights academics question the dubious legal standing and human rights implications of their operation. There are seriously worrying reports from agencies such as the Galway Rape Crisis Centre on the exploitation of women and children both within and without the centres. I sometimes wonder if we are looking at the source of the Cloyne reports of ten or 15 years time.

It is not true to say there is no function or use for the system of direct provision. For many of those entering the system it provides a welcome immediate environment in which to base oneself, engage with health and legal services and acclimatise oneself to the country. That period, however, should not be excessive and a maximum limit should be imposed. The system was introduced with the intention of housing people for no more than six months and that limit should be enforced. We cannot continue to institutionalise people in these circumstances indefinitely. For these reasons, I am calling for a comprehensive review of the system of direct provision to address the concerns I have raised, including a statutory maximum stay of six months; the introduction of an independent complaints body to hear and investigate the concerns of the residents of these centres; and an overhaul of the immigration and asylum process in order that people receive quick, just and fair decisions in a transparent manner.

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