Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I beg your pardon. The question I want to ask has been prompted by two developments. The first is the actions and words of President Trump in regard to refugees, the ban on refugees coming from Syria and on other refugees from Muslim-majority countries, and also by the world reaction to his words. With very few exceptions, the reaction has been one of anger and condemnation because we are all very concerned with this attack on the rights of refugees to flee war and oppression. It goes against the principles of the American Declaration of Independence. It also reneges on international obligations. Ireland also protested and various Ministers were vocal in stating it was wrong to treat people on the basis of their religion or nationality and that we have to stand by refugees and asylum seekers.

We were saying all the right things but the words do not stand up when we consider the particular ways in which we are treating refugees, asylum seekers and migrants in this country. We are also part of some very questionable EU agreements. For example, the EU-Turkey agreement continues to come in for criticism, yet at the same time the EU is considering one with Libya on refugees. That goes against what the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights said, namely, that sending people back to Libya or to countries that have not signed the Geneva Convention should always be avoided.

We have low rates of acceptance of asylum seekers. It is less than half the European average. We have been slow in taking in the Syrian refugees and there are delays with family reunification. While there has been movement on direct provision, the current figure is 4,300.

I want to highlight the matter of the serious shortcomings and the issues that continue for young people who are growing up in the asylum system in Ireland. If those issues continue to be unaddressed, then our protest against President Trump's actions continues to be hypocritical.

The migrant integration strategy, which the Tánaiste has just launched, is welcome as a step in the right direction, and the Tánaiste said that this is the first step. However, our immigration system is not addressing a wide range of situations in which children and young people find themselves. There is also a need to consider the position of these young people, irrespective of their parents' status. There is also need to consider the position of those who are in State care if their status has not been resolved by the time they reach the age of 18. There is a need for clarity, consistency and for the provision of information and knowledge that is easily acceptable.

I would draw the Tánaiste's attention, if she has not seen it already, to a report from the Immigrant Council of Ireland in December 2016. It was based on case studies involving a number of these young people. It was also based on conversations and engagements with professionals who work with them. The report is very clear on the issues and on the detailed recommendations on how the system needs to be reformed. It is a piece of work that still waits to be done and I ask that this would be treated with urgency.

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