Aideen Hayden (Labour) | Oireachtas source

However, we will have the debate later this afternoon.

I wish to praise the Ombudsman, Emily O’Reilly, for raising the plight of asylum seekers in direct provision. I and colleagues on the Opposition benches have raised the matter as well. Unfortunately, to date, we have seen no positive action in this area. Others have also commented on this appalling situation, for example, Geoffrey Shannon, the special rapporteur for children. The reality of the matter is that one in every three asylum seekers spends longer than three years in direct provision and one in ten spends longer than seven years.

There are families living in direct provision who have never had the opportunity to cook a family meal. It is outrageous. The point was made previously in our discussions on the Magdalen laundries that we should be conscious in this country of not looking behind the high walls. I ask that the Leader provide time for a debate at the earliest opportunity on the issue of direct provision.