Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

Those are two distinct issues. For medical evacuations, we are not saying it is one plus one. There has not been a one plus one scenario. Twelve children have arrived. In a one plus one scenario, that would mean the arrival of 24 people. More than 40 people have arrived so far through that programme.

I do not want to be too argumentative on a sensitive issue but there must be rules and checks. The reality is that if there are children from far-flung parts of the world travelling to this country with adults, some of whom are not their parents, there need to be legitimate checks in respect of child protection. I do not think any immigration system in the world would grant visas without satisfying itself in respect of visa applications for minors. There are issues around birth certificates and consent letters. These are important things. We cannot just tear up the rule book when it comes to migration. There do have to be rules in place. Of course we will work with people but the rules apply in relation to visas. Ireland is not just tearing up its migration system or its rules in this regard.

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