Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach should say it straight that that is what it is. Those people are legally here to claim asylum. They work and live here under our system. We are responsible for their safety when they are here. If the Taoiseach could acknowledge that, it would do an awful lot in terms of putting it right. He should say it constantly because it needs to be said. His backbenchers need to say it as well. They have been saying the wrong thing in public and in the media and that is wrong and should not be continued. Everyone has a role to play in making this right.

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