Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

This motion is a disgrace. It involves point after point of dog whistles. I do not believe that the Rural Independent Group does not know exactly what it is doing here. They all know well that they are pandering to the far right, stoking up divisions and spreading fear and complete misinformation. In doing so, they are putting a target on the backs of migrants and asylum seekers for the sake of a few votes. They should be ashamed of themselves. The idea that a group would submit a motion on asylum seekers, while failing to have a basic understanding of the process, is astounding.

The motion states that there is a lack of an objective mechanism to distinguish genuine, ungenuine, legal or illegal asylum seekers. What do the Deputies think the International Protection Office, IPO, does? The international protection, IP, process is an objective determination, the terms of which are set out in the International Protection Act 2015. I suggest that the Deputies read it. Granting refugee status does not happen on the first day someone arrives in Ireland seeking protection. It is a complex legal process that can take months or years. Any person who wishes to seek protection in Ireland has to arrive physically in Ireland and make an application for refugee status. Once that application has been accepted they are classed as an asylum seeker. There is no such thing as an illegal asylum seeker; every single one is in this country legally. Saying otherwise in this motion, in this House, and in your constituencies is inflammatory and wrong.

There are many flaws in our IP system. Direct provision is a cruel and inhumane system that is unfit for purpose. It takes far too long for people to receive refugee status that allows them to live a normal life in Ireland, and some decisions on asylum applications taken by the IPO have been appalling. There are a lot of real problems in the system, and instead of debating those issues, we are debating nonsense. There are four references to single males in this motion. There has been a lot of scaremongering around the idea of “single military aged men” seeking protection in Ireland. There are real reasons many asylum seekers are men. Families in dangerous situations have to make incredibly difficult decisions about who leaves first. Most cannot afford to send everyone, and all they know is the path to safety is dangerous. Often it is a physical journey, walking for miles and miles and crossing seas, with a significant risk of violence, sexual assault and human trafficking. Families send those who they feel are most likely to reach safety. Most often these are their fathers, brothers and sons, all making the perilous journey to find safety so that they can someday provide a lifeline for their family.

Deputy Danny Healy-Rae has suggested on several occasions in this House that women and girls in Killarney and Muckross are in danger from these men. Let us be clear; there is no link between asylum seekers and crime. That is the case here, and that is the case internationally. Some asylum seekers come from countries that are classed as a “safe country of origin”. That classification does not mean the country is safe for everyone. Asylum seekers are not just fleeing war. They are members of the LGBT community, women's rights activists, members of political groups and trade unionists. The international protection process does not determine anyone’s refugee status on the basis of their country of origin. Everyone is assessed individually, as they should be.

The announcement by the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, this week that international protection applicants would no longer be housed, but be handed an extra €75 and a tent, is an indictment of this Government and this State. It is a failure to meet our responsibilities under the reception conditions directive. The Business Postreported yesterday that the Minister had begun to gauge interest in the building of modular housing for Ukrainian refugees. This is the second time this year that people seeking sanctuary in Ireland will be out on the streets and he is only now gauging interest. Where is the urgency? Where is the planning? Where is the Minister for housing? He has a plan to restrict access to homeless accommodation to non-residents.

Temperatures are already subzero. Vulnerable people seeking sanctuary, with no friends or family to rely on, are going to freeze on our streets. It is disgraceful for the Minister for housing to propose checking residency cards at the door for people to come in out of the cold. We need additional facilities; we needed them months ago. Vacant houses and public buildings are sitting empty across the country and several facilities earmarked for accommodation have been abandoned due to local opposition. Let me be clear; no one has a veto over who lives in their community. By bowing to this pressure, the Government is emboldening these protests and by refusing to engage with communities in the first place, the Government is creating an information vacuum that the far right is only too happy to fill.

Deputy O’Gorman’s Department must reach out to communities with information, and engage. It must not consult but it must listen and address people’s concerns. If people are worried about GP services and school places, all of these matters should be within the Government’s ability to address. Capacity can always be increased in these services and having more people in the community in need of services increases the argument for doing so.

Lost in these debates on immigration is the value of inclusion. I appeal to people who hear the language used by the Rural Independent Group today, or by far-right groups online, and feel somewhat sympathetic. Do not believe the voices who want them to fear migrants, who question their legality and who tell them that they give nothing to Ireland. The work of countless organisations, groups and individuals across Ireland, day after day, shows the value of immigrants and asylum seekers and what they have brought to Ireland. They are our friends, families and loved ones. They are our teachers, nurses and builders. They are organisations like Sanctuary Runners and restaurants like Izz Cafe in Cork city. They make our culture and communities richer. They provide employment and keep public services and businesses afloat. They bring new life to our towns, villages, rural areas and cities. Our society is stronger together than we are apart. We cannot allow divisions to grow in our communities and we cannot become suspicious of our neighbours. We have to be clear in our values as a nation; we value diversity, human rights and communities. We value immigration.

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