Rónán Mullen (Independent)

I support the call for a debate on Greece. There are many issues we could discuss. One fact that caught my eye was the report that 75% of applications for asylum in this country have been rejected. It would be timely for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to come to the House to give us an update on the operation of our asylum laws and for us debate whether that is an appropriate percentage in light of the circumstances. It is interesting to note that Greece is much worse than we are; that it rejected 14,185 out of 14,350 applications for asylum in 2009, which provides an interesting angle on our solidarity with Greece and the question of its solidarity with people. Greece has certainly not been spending the money on asylum seekers. Senator O'Toole likes the occasional reference to scripture. I am reminded again of the parable in Matthew 18 of the ungrateful-----