Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)

It should not come as a surprise, given the recent and marked growth in Ireland's population and diversity, that there is a widespread public conversation on migration. It is no surprise either that people recognise the value that nurses from the Philippines, doctors from Syria and engineers from India bring to our society, our economy and our service provision, which would really struggle without them. Ireland remains a welcoming country. It is no surprise either that the Irish public requires and demands that the Government and its agencies manage, regulate and oversee all aspects of the migration of people in an orderly and efficient way. Today's statements are about the international protection system processing and enforcement. The system created and presided over by the Government, as my colleague has said, is broken, not fit for purpose and now does not command the confidence of the public. That is a big problem.

The processing of applications takes far too long. Deportation orders go unenforced. There are no exit checks. Too often, the State does not know if those issued with deportation orders have actually left. Sickeningly, there is massive profiteering from the provision of IPAS accommodation. The Government has made multimillionaires of a small group of people, virtually overnight. Millions have been made from the misery of others. Meanwhile, communities are sidelined, ignored and left behind without the basic resources needed in housing, healthcare and local services. It goes without saying that upholding safety is paramount in any system that functions and commands people's trust. The arson attack on Drogheda at the weekend - the attempt to burn people alive that endangered the lives of small children and led to babies being taken to hospital - was callous, disgusting and indefensible. Those responsible are the most vile of cowards and must face the full weight of the law. Yesterday, my colleague an Teachta Joanna Byrne shared on the floor of this House just how unsafe that particular IPAS accommodation had been prior to any arson attack. Those poor people were doubly failed.

The sexual assault of a ten-year-old child in Citywest last month was sickening. The news that the man charged with the assault was subject to a deportation order months ago and yet still remained in the country really shocked and angered people. The violence that followed all of that is in no way acceptable and is in no way excused in any set of circumstances, but people no longer trust that the system ensures safety for the public or for those in IPAS accommodation. That is a failure of Government. An international protection system can only work if it is grounded in fair, reasonable and enforceable rules, mindful of the need to safeguard social cohesion, respect communities, protect people's rights and command public confidence. That means those whose applications are successful and have leave to remain here must lead full lives, enjoy opportunity, contribute to our society and be fully integrated, but it also means that where an application fails and where a deportation order is issued, it must be enforced efficiently and speedily. It is only through the full enforcement of all the rules that we can have a system that works and enjoys people's trust.

The vast majority of our people not alone reject racism but see it as abhorrent, ugly and un-Irish. They have no truck with those who seek to spread hate in our communities and we all have a solemn duty to keep every person safe on our streets and in our communities and to create an atmosphere where people of goodwill can have an open, honest conversation about how we build a system that works, a system that meets our international protection obligations in a fair way and deals with the concerns and needs of the people of Ireland.

People want to see an end to the Government's chaotic approach and a migration system and international protection system with a book of rules that is clear, strong, reasonable and fully enforced. That is a fair and reasonable expectation and it is the responsibility of the Government to deliver.

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