Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am very aware of the horrors of war, as we all are from watching what is happening, but I made the point in my speech that there are people coming in from areas designated as safe. The number of such cases is increasing all the time. This needs to be properly monitored and there needs to be a reasonable debate on the issue. We need a proper, functioning immigration policy. I suggested to the Taoiseach that the pause button be pressed. Can a meeting be sought with representatives in the EU so we would have some mechanism to pause what is happening here? People are being failed. If we are bringing in people, we are not giving them a céad míle fáilte if they are in tents or on hotel floors, as I have said previously. It is not right that people who do not need protection are coming in and abusing our system and, indeed, our hospitality. That is not right. There are people coming in from safe areas. It clearly proves our immigration policy is failing. There is no proper, functioning policy. These issues need to be looked at. There needs to be engagement with EU representatives because we have to press pause.

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