Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Tá dhá cheist agam, ceann amháin faoi the International Protection Bill agus an McMahon report agus ceann eile faoi the Civil Debt (Procedures) Bill. The Dáil voted on Second Stage of the Civil Debt (Procedures) Bill yesterday. The Irish League of Credit Unions produced a depressing report on back-to-school costs for parents. It provides a great level of detail, such as the fact that 80% of parents see these costs as a significant financial burden. Many parents admit that costs will have a negative impact on their ability to pay household bills and that they are likely to get into debt, and many also indicated that they might even go to moneylenders. Such parents are likely to find themselves the target of attachment orders arising from the Civil Debt (Procedures) Bill. Can the Taoiseach confirm that Report Stage of the Bill will come before the Dáil next week? Does the Government intend to guillotine Report Stage and rush the Bill through? If it has its way, will it be completed before the summer recess? If that is the case, it will penalise the most vulnerable families and children once again.

I refer to the international protection Bill and the McMahon working group report. Some aspects of the report are welcome, but overall it is a very disappointing response to a humanitarian issue for the people affected. The direct provision system has been widely condemned. We warned at the time that the terms of reference decided on by the Government for the working group were too limited. The report confirms this and falls short of the fundamental and radical reform of the refugee and subsidiary protection application process that is needed. Last month the Taoiseach told me that he would facilitate a debate on this report. Can he tell us when that will take place and whether it will be held before the Dáil rises for the summer?

See this speech in context