Tom Morrissey (Progressive Democrats)

I am shocked by this amendment. The State is being more than accommodating in dealing with this problem. If somebody is seeking asylum, it is in their interest, and those of the State and taxpayers, that we have an efficient system for doing so. The Minister has described travel and overnight accommodation arrangements. What more can any Department or country do to expedite this matter? The last thing we want to see again is footage such as that shot in Mount Street a number of years ago. The situation now is far more dignified. It is perverse to propose an amendment that would extend the time to two months and draw out the asylum procedure. These people are not working and they must want their asylum applications to be expedited. I cannot understand this proposal.