Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I beg the indulgence of the Ceann Comhairle for a brief moment to refute what the Tánaiste has said about Road Traffic (Amendment) Bill 2017. We are entitled to represent our constituents, and when there is a bad legislation, it should be opposed. It is damaging to rural Ireland and has not been rural-proofed.

Almost 14,000 people have tried to enter this country illegally since 2014. There has been a huge increase year on year. In 2014, it was 2,000, then it increased to 4,000. These people are roaming around, and all they have to do while they await an assessment, is sign on at a local Garda station. The Garda stations are not there, and there are no gardaí in them. This is farcical. Some 14,000 people have attempted to come in illegally, and we are talking about what is happening in America and elsewhere. We should mind our own shores, protect our own people and families and have this dealt with immediately. What actions are being taking by the Tánaiste to deal with this?

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