Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am disappointed with the reply and, in particular, the comment that the Minister has no plans to end this system at this time. When he was in opposition, he had plans and energy and what he was not going to do was not wroth mentioning, yet when he is in a position to make a change he is not willing or able to make it.

I note a hint of sarcasm in the Minister of State's comment that the Minister has replied to 50 parliamentary questions and addressed the House on the direct provision issue. It is amazing, however, that despite all the replies and debates on the issue that his new proposals to amend the reception system and the IRC's alternative proposals will only be discussed by the RIA and the IRC in 2014. It is amazing that a man who has answered a question about this issue 50 times and has participated in a debate in this House has not instructed the RIA to meet the IRC prior to now.

I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House. I hope some more time in opposition might help the Minister for Justice and Equality to regain his enthusiasm. He might be able to find the notes he used previously to outline how he would change the direct provision system when he got into power.