Results 1-9 of 9 for "direct provision" speaker:Billy Lawless

Seanad: Provision of Accommodation and Ancillary Services to Applicants for International Protection: Statements (27 Nov 2019)

Billy Lawless: I welcome the Minister to the Chamber. I am really pleased to hear the words he said and to have the opportunity to discuss the issue of direct provision, or as it is correctly phrased on the Seanad schedule, "the provision of accommodation and ancillary services to applicants for international protection". That is what we, as a Government and as a nation, have a responsibility for do - to...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (6 Nov 2019)

Billy Lawless: I agree with Senator McDowell's call yesterday for a proper debate and discussion in the House on the question of direct provision. I appreciate that what the Senator spoke to yesterday and again in his article this morning is built on his experience as a former Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and Attorney General concerned with the process, procedure and legality of those who...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs Council: Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (3 Oct 2019)

Billy Lawless: ...in my home country. Sinister right-wing activists have infiltrated and fuelled these protests. As he has said, dialogue must take place with local people. I think Ireland has done quite well in terms of direct provision for asylum-seekers and refugees. As he also asked, what are we going to do with the 6,000 people? What is our quota of asylum-seekers? What numbers do we take in on a...

Seanad: An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business (11 Apr 2019)

Billy Lawless: ...support, it should follow that they have an entitlement to obtain a temporary driver licence for as long as they are lawfully allowed to work in this country. In light of the fact that many direct provision centres are outside main towns and cities, the Minister, Deputy Ross, informed the Lower House in September 2018 that he had asked his officials to re-examine the question of whether...

Seanad: Order of Business (29 Nov 2017)

Billy Lawless: ...asylum seekers have a right to work in this country or will they not? If so, when and how? Will legislation be put through these Houses? The Minister confirmed to this House that adults living in direct provision "will also see their capacity for economic independence enhanced in line with the finding of the Supreme Court". How is this to be put into effect? When the Minister came...

Seanad: Direct Provision: Statements (4 Oct 2017)

Billy Lawless: I welcome the opportunity to make a statement on direct provision. I welcome the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, to the Chamber. The Government and this House have a responsibility to listen to and legislate for a very important decision that has been delivered by the Supreme Court since this House last had a chance to speak on this matter. As Senators will be aware, the Supreme Court found...

Seanad: Direct Provision: Statements (4 Oct 2017)

Billy Lawless: ...has said that the State has an obligation to vindicate the right of asylum seekers in Ireland to have a limited opportunity for employment, rather than spending their lives in the purgatory that is direct provision. While I applaud the Government for its willingness to put amendments of the people’s document - the Constitution - to the Irish people, including a proposal to expand...

Seanad: Migrant Integration Strategy: Statements (16 May 2017)

Billy Lawless: ...going into effect. I welcome these initiatives proposed by the Minister and the global tide that is shifting against anti-immigrant rhetoric but I must ask the Minister about the 4,500 people in direct provision in Ireland. What moves are being made to accelerate their cases for adjudication? Direct provision was set up as a temporary measure in 2000 and here we are 18 years later,...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, and Defence: Foreign Affairs and Trade Issues: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (20 Oct 2016)

Billy Lawless: ...in trying to establish the exact number. I wish to bring another matter to the Minister's attention. Refugees were found in a container only a couple of days ago. More than 4,000 people are in direct provision in Ireland. What moves are being made to accelerate their cases for adjudication? Families have been in one hotel in Galway for more than ten years. Their plight is...