Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

To add to that, when we look at these amendments, they may look repetitive but each of them clarifies different degrees of professional ability, including pharmacists, surgeons, doctors and nurses. There is a wealth of talent locked up inside direct provision centres that could be freed. As has been said, if the Minister can tell us a different way it can be done, it is hugely important to do so. The commitments that were made in order to help people in direct provision self-isolate need to be met without any haste. People in direct provision are being forced to eat together in close proximity. Four are often sleeping to a room. The question of self-isolation does not exist in these centres. That is not just a danger for those people but it is a danger for the entire population. We need to address this urgently and I know those representing the interests of people in direct provision are not happy with the recent meeting they had with the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Flanagan. We need much more clarification, commitment and timelines on this because we are running out of time. It needs to be dealt with urgently.

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