Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am not aware of many Bills that completed Second Stage and were not subsequently amended on Committee and Report Stages. This Bill makes a start and allowing it to proceed to the next Stage would send out a message to more than 4,500 people in direct provision that the State is doing something and there may be a pathway forward. The Government has not even set a clear timeframe for delivering legislation on this issue. Senator Conway has effectively stated that while he has great sympathy for Senators Norris and van Turnhout and the 4,500 people in direct provision, he is not prepared to do anything about it. That is also the message the Government is sending out by refusing to accept the Bill. The House should pass Second Stage and thereafter examine the imperfections and technical issues to which Senator Conway referred. Perhaps the Minister will indicate what are these technical issues.
The Irish Refugee Council is not a legislator whereas the Seanad and Dáil are. Any issues arising could be addressed on Committee Stage.
The Bill presents Senators with an opportunity. Speaking as the leader of the Fianna Fáil Party in the Seanad, I am aware that my party's track record in the area of direct provision has been shameful in many instances. It was for this reason that I pushed hard to have my party support this Bill. If one is doing something wrong, one has the choice of continuing on the same path or changing tack by acknowledging where one was wrong and setting out to change it. None of us would like to live in direct provision with no light at the end of the tunnel. Why do we expect other human beings to live in conditions in which they have no future?
As Senator van Turnhout noted, there are children who have not lived anywhere else than direct provision. They were born in this country and they and their parents have not been given an opportunity to contribute to the State. I implore the Minister of State to allow the Bill to complete Second Stage. Let us then, as a group, draw up proposals to address any issues or concerns that arise by means of amendment. In the absence of an agreement to do so, I expect the Minister of State to indicate precisely what the Government proposes to do to address this matter and when it will produce and implement legislation.