Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

In its programme for Government, the Government promised a humanitarian response to asylum seekers, committed to making Ireland a safe haven for those fleeing from violence, and said it would promote the integration of migrants in this country. The deportation order for Shepherd Machaya is anything but compassionate. He has lived nine years in direct provision, a pretty awful system, but he made an effort to secure a FETAC level 5 qualification before going to DCU, where he completed his first year with flying colours, but now he is being threatened with deportation. Some 13,000 friends, fellow students, the students' union, and DCU, which is a university of sanctuary, are all pleading with the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, and the Government to be compassionate, humanitarian and revoke that order to allow Shepherd Machaya to remain here, finish his studies and contribute to Irish society. I do not understand why the Minister would throw out somebody who is studying IT systems and business management when they could contribute to Irish society. I also wish to mention Eric Zhi Ying Xue from Bray, a nine year old who has lived all his life here. I ask the Taoiseach and the Minister to show compassion for these two people.

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