Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I want to raise the issue of the direct provision system being used across the country. We have a case only this week in Globe House in Sligo where a Kurdish man, Mr. Amjad Rosstami, has spent 35 days on hunger strike. That particular case may be dealt with but it certainly highlights the fact there are 5,000 people in this country in direct provision centres, many of them for many years. I am sure, as was stated in the Calais debate here, everyone on all sides of the House recognises we have an obligation to help these people who come from repressive regimes and war-torn places around the world, and to throw them into these inappropriate positions and leave them there for time on end is wrong. I am asking the Taoiseach if he will make a commitment that this Government will end the direct provision system and treat our refugees with humanity in an efficient matter so that they can be sorted out quickly.

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