John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the White Paper, which is timely. I intend to reflect on the system that has been in place since approximately 2000. It is inhumane and a system of which one could not be proud. I welcome the actions being taken now to deal with the issue, and that there will be a new system in place after 2024. However, there are things we can do now. We cannot wait until 2024 to take the actions that are necessary in this area.

There are people in this country who have not been able to work and lead a proper life. They have not been given a break, despite the fact that they came here seeking protection. Some form of amnesty should be put in place to allow people who have been here for a number of years to participate fully in society and the economy. I refer to a case I have been dealing with since 2000. When the family arrived in this country they were seeking assistance and protection. They received that, but they only got their passports in recent years. However, the husband has not been naturalised for some reason. It is said that he did not secure naturalisation because of a comment on his file. If there is a comment on the file, the individual wants to attend an interview with any law enforcement or other agency to clear his name. Does he not have a right to clear his name? Should the Minister not allow him to clear his name? Why is there such secrecy in the process of naturalisation? We can take action on that now. We can, at least, let that family make a difference in their lives. We can allow the process to judge him rather than some anonymous comment on his file. I wish to see that dealt with.

There are other issues with direct provision we can deal with now. We can fast-track the systems we have in place after we provide an amnesty. It could be explained to the House why it takes so long to deal with the applications. Surely to God with our current technology there is room for fast-tracking applications and dealing with them in a humane way. It is unfortunate to see individuals such as the one I described. Another individual is here for 20 years on a stamp 4 permit. He had to remain here following an accident and missed 20 years of his life. The State must reflect on that. We must reflect on the fact that sometimes it is the action or inaction of the State that leads to the racism we experience. We cannot ignore that, and we cannot wait until 2024. There are things we can do now to make a difference in people's lives. I ask the Minister to examine those, take the actions that are necessary and give people a meaningful existence in this country.

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