Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The increasing number of people seeking asylum places an onus on every government, including theirs, to plan and resource an immigration system that is fit for purpose and that safeguards social cohesion as well, and that has not happened. Now, by opting in to the EU pact, the Government compounds its failure and shirks its leadership and responsibility. It proposes to hand responsibility and power for Ireland's immigration policies over to Brussels lock, stock and barrel. Signing up to this pact in its entirety ties the hands of future Irish Governments to set common-sense policies that are best for Ireland. These decisions are best taken here in Ireland. Agreeing to this pact represents a dangerous erosion of Irish sovereignty.

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