Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge that the Minister has intervened in the hunger strike in the Skellig Star. It is over, which is important. For anybody in Ireland to be on hunger strike sends a strong message to us. For the asylum seekers concerned to feel that was the only way they could have their voices heard is telling.

It is time to resolve the issues and deal with them fairly and quickly. In her response I would like to hear from the Minister what the timeframe will be. It is not enough to say things will happen over the next number of months.

We want to know what the timeframe will be because that will be vital to ensuring the issues will be dealt with. The protestors all demanded they be given access to a social worker so they could air their grievances in a safe way. What is the Department's view on that? It shows the lack of faith the asylum seekers have in the International Protection Accommodation Service, IPAS, and the officials of the Minister's Department who, unfortunately, they do not feel they can talk to. That happens an awful lot and is a sign of something wrong in the system. It needs to be dealt with and I hope the Minister does so. Hopefully, moving it across to another Minister might resolve it. Time will tell, we will have to wait and see what happens.

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