Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State skirted around the question I asked about the specific obligations we have under treaties. I asked him which treaties but he just said international treaties. It is my understanding, in the context of the referenda on the Lisbon treaty, that a specific commitment was given whereby countries like Ireland, Denmark and others could opt out. I also asked if the Government has signed up to an agreement more recently to pay money if we cannot accommodate the people who come here. Furthermore, I asked about the situation with people travelling from Great Britain to Northern Ireland and síos go dtí na Fiche-Sé Chontae, people who are coming down here from the Six Counties. I have met people and I know this is happening. I asked about the checks that are there.

I welcome the Minister of State's answer on Georgia. He said that he had spoken to the Georgians and that they had sent in some of their police. People are being told all of the time, in generality, and the Minister of State said it again here, that we have international obligations. We are an independent, sovereign republic. There are treaties in place, but I want the Minister of State to explain which specific treaties he is referring to and to tell me whether we can, under the opt-out clause in the Lisbon treaty, refuse to take asylum seekers. I am not being anti-Christian here. We just cannot cope at the moment. Communities need to be consulted and engaged with and services need to be put in place to provide supports. People have opened their homes to Ukrainians and others. Roscrea has welcomed people, but enough is enough. Some 85% of international protection applicants in Tipperary are located in the town of Roscrea. Those in the town are being demonised as bad people. That is not fair.

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