Kathleen O'Meara (Labour)

I am not re-opening the Second Stage debate, but a number of people on both sides of the House have been using the term "genuine asylum seekers". I simply wanted to say that it is a problematic term. It is better to use the general term "asylum seekers". We must be aware of our responsibilities concerning asylum seekers.

As regards Senator Mansergh's comments, it is often a fact of life that asylum seekers will either be carrying false documents or none at all. If such people leave a country under threat of death while trying to save their families, it is quite possible they will be travelling with false documentation in order to seek asylum elsewhere. The Minister should take into account the genuine concerns contained in the amendment.