Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome that such a generous amount of time has been provided for the Dáil to debate the EU asylum and migration pact. The Sinn Féin position is clear. It is that the vast majority of measures included in this EU pact are not in the best interests of Ireland. We must ensure we have sovereignty over how we manage our immigration system and that we have a system that is fair, efficient and enforced. For these reasons, we will not be supporting this pact.

I strongly believe the legacy of this Government will be one of sowing the seeds of division in our society and treating those who arrived here disgracefully. Irish people are inherently decent but the way the Government is treating new applicants is far from decent. Voluntary groups do more than the Government to support integration of new arrivals.

The Government has created division in Irish society with its management of immigration. This division is nowhere deeper than in the inner city. Years of neglect have made people angry. I do not believe the vast majority of residents in the inner city are racist; they are angry at decades of neglect and that is not the same as being racist. The Government knows the neglect that communities in the inner city have been subjected to and knows the anger and apathy, yet it does nothing to address that other than to put up more barriers around the inner city, issue press statements and then move applicants when they reach the number of 100. It is like the Government has an acceptable level of chaos when the reality is that it clearly cannot manage the situation. Residents feel that the Government has torn up the social contract. Its policies are dividing communities. The Government's lack of policy and process on immigration and lack of engagement on the ground are causing the erosion of social cohesion in many communities. The Government is failing to engage with local communities and is guilty of leaving a void open for disinformation to run rampant.

The latest figures show that it is taking almost 19 months for a decision on an IP applicant. This could not be any further from an efficient system. How is that fair to anyone? It is clear that the international protection system is in urgent need of an overhaul. We need to see sufficient investment of resources in the system and reform to address these delays. The International Protection Office on Mount Street only operates from Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 2.30 p.m. This office needs to be managed and staffed 24-7 so all applicants who arrive can be triaged and offered accommodation rather than wandering the streets looking for a tent. When issues arise, residents have no contact with the management and staff in the office on Mount Street. This must change. There must be a form of liaison so local residents can contact the office to iron out difficulties and support the office in resolving the various issues that arise.

There is speculation that the barriers around Mount Street and along the canal will be removed from the end of June but, again, the residents are not being consulted. The Minister might clarify what is happening with regard to the barriers. There does not appear to be any Government strategy on this issue. Who is in charge? No amount of press releases will cover the mess the Government has made. We need an efficient, compassionate and enforced immigration system, just like Canada or Australia. We need effective control of our borders. People are frustrated when they hear stories of people arriving on flights with no passports – it drives people insane. It has to be an issue that can be resolved. It cannot be beyond the wit of man or the Government to resolve that issue. It is something that needs to be done.

People do not have any faith in the Government process for dealing with these cases. We need to address these issues, treat people humanely and compassionately and, at the same time, make sure the system is efficient and enforced.

See this speech in context