Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I went to Lisbon in Portugal with Senator Ó Clochartaigh for a day to look at what they believe to be a more acceptable practice for dealing with people who come requiring asylum.
Unfortunately, the Government is not in a position to accept the Bill, but I believe the issue is moving on, and far quicker than previously. Considerable credit should go to some of the reputable journalists in the country who have continuously highlighted the issues and concerns associated with direct provision. I have in mind Carl O'Brien of the Irish Timeswho has been relentless in his coverage highlighting this scourge in our country and our time. It is worth acknowledging Brian O'Connell on "Today with Sean O'Rourke" as well. He has visited these centres and has been forthright in his reporting. The producers of "Today with Sean O'Rourke" deserve to be mentioned in this regard as well.
I have said it in this House in the past and I will say it again: it is my contention that in 20 or 30 years time a taoiseach will be standing up in the Dáil delivering an apology to the young people and those forced to live in direct provision. It will be an apology similar to that offered to the people who lived in institutions and in respect of whom the State turned a complete blind eye. That will happen and it will be a shame on our generation in the same way as it has been a shame on other generations the way certain citizens have been treated. I am flagging this because we can do something about it. We must do something about it.
Thousands, even millions of Irish people have gone throughout the world and have been badly treated or well treated, depending on the circumstances. Often we refer to the signs in certain countries that stated, "No dogs, No Irish" and so on. We are all appalled at that type of thing, but what we are doing with the people who are coming in to this country seeking asylum in direct provision centres is no better.
The Minister of State, Deputy Deenihan, is competent to deal with this issue, especially given his role with the diaspora and I wish him well in that regard. It is a group of people often forgotten, especially those who fall on hard times. We all hear about the success stories, the people who leave and then become millionaires or get elected to various parliaments throughout the world. However, we do not hear about the people who fall on bad times. The Minister of State has already started a new process and conversation in that regard. Unfortunately, it is with no joy that I say we will not be supporting the Bill. This is not because we do not agree with the principles or what Senator Norris is trying to achieve. It is simply because there are technical aspects to it that are simply not working.