Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to give my support to Ireland opting into the EU migration and asylum pact. We can all agree on the immense value that people coming here to work, live or study bring to Ireland economically, socially and culturally. The importance of the international protection process for those fleeing persecution and Ireland's duty to provide shelter for those most vulnerable also need to be recognised.

However, for an immigration and asylum system to be efficient and effective, it is critical that it should be firm and fair. It is also the duty of Government to make it fit for the future. I believe that by opting into the EU migration and asylum pact, we will do just that. By working with others in Europe, we will ensure we have a more coherent approach to asylum seeking, integration and the protection of national and European borders. For example, when international protection applications are processed at speed, it means that those who need our protection are given the opportunity to rebuild their lives in Ireland. Speedy processing also means that those who do not qualify are sent back home. This sort of swift decision-making is fair and firm.

Let us be very clear. Ireland has a very strong record in providing protection and support to those who have had to flee from violence, war or persecution across the world. We have successfully responded to the war in Ukraine with a co-ordinated whole-of-government response. More than 107,500 people have been welcomed to the State since the European Council unanimously the temporary protection directive in March 2022. People are being supported to work. Almost 19,000 beneficiaries are working and people are also being supported to live independently and fully integrate into their local community.

The Department of Rural and Community Development has also put a range of schemes in place to support people who have come from abroad be it the social inclusion and community activation programme, the services offered through our 29 volunteer centres or the €100 million being provided through the community recognition fund. We have not been found wanting.

The scale of and increase in the number of people arriving is unprecedented. The challenges presented by migration and asylum cannot be effectively addressed by any state acting alone. This is why the pact on asylum and migration is important. It will help address some of the long-standing challenges we faced in dealing with asylum applications, particularly in the context of the large influx of asylum seekers over recent years such as we have never seen. The Department of Social Protection is also working on measures agreed by Government to ensure equity in the system.

This pact will establish a more coherent approach across the EU to migration, asylum, integration and border management that is fit for the 21st century. I welcome the decision to opt in. International co-operation is at the heart of making migration work in a more complex and volatile world. The pact represents our best opportunity to improve our immigration system well into the future.

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