Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I agree with that. Let me first say that none of my comments is in relation to anyone in an IPAS centre. Everyone who comes to our country deserves to be treated with dignity and respect and to be safe. We all condemn some of the callous, disgusting and despicable criminal acts we have seen in recent times. It is legitimate, though, and, indeed, important that we debate some of the issues the Deputy is talking about, particularly when taxpayers' money is being expended in this area. We scrutinise the spending of taxpayers' money right across our public services and we should also scrutinise the spending of public money in relation to migration policy. It is an entirely appropriate and perfectly legitimate area of debate and I think the Deputy's suggestion is a good one.

In fairness to successive Governments, particularly the past Government and, indeed, the start of this Government, we have obviously been dealing with a variety of emergency situations and trying to respond in real time to a significant increase in the numbers. We need to move now from an emergency footing to a more planned, organised system. That includes the issue of accommodation and having greater clarity around it. Deputy Neville's suggestion is a constructive one in that regard. I intend to discuss it with both the Minister for public expenditure and reform and the Minister for justice. This is an area we would expect to be dealt with like any other area of public money. It should be like that in this area too.

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