Tom Morrissey (Progressive Democrats)

I oppose this amendment. If it was approved, it would effectively enable people to play cat and mouse with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform and lead to a never – ending circle. The Minister outlined the exorbitant number of applications withdrawn, that go missing or fail to materialise on even a second occasion. If we oblige the Minister to find addresses – people probably have multiple addresses – it would only serve to increase delays and costs. We have been told that the system is costing the Exchequer €45 million.

When people arrive on our shores, we, rightly, have obligations. Equally, however, they have duties to comply with the procedures we put in place. For these reasons I am very much opposed to the amendment.

Amendment to amendment, by leave, withdrawn.