Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North-West Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to have the opportunity to address the House to respond on behalf of the Government to the Immigration (Reform) (Regularisation of Residency Status) Bill 2014. At the outset I thank Senator Norris for introducing the Bill, Senator Jillian van Turnhout's for seconding it and all those who spoke, including,Senators Martin Conway, Darragh O'Brien, Mary Moran, Trevor Ó Clochartaigh, Colm Burke, Feargal Quinn, Labhrás Ó Murchú, Ivana Bacik and Gerard P. Craughwell. I do not know if this is Senator Craughwell maiden speech but let me congratulate him for being here.

Unfortunately due to other unavoidable commitments, neither the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald nor the Minister of State, Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin were not in a position to be here today.

I am delighted to be here as I have a particular interest in this area.

Almost every Monday evening, in my clinic in Tralee, somebody will come and the subject of our discussion will apply to him or her. I thank Senators Norris and van Turnhout for outlining the objective of the Bill and the rationale for bringing it forward.at this time.

The Bill clearly seeks to address the position of persons who entered the State's international protection system and who after four years are still awaiting a final decision on their request to remain in the State. As Senators will know this is a situation of which the Government is very aware as reflected in its responses to date to addressing the delays in the protection system.

There is no doubt that it is taking far too long for applicants to work their way through the protection system in Ireland and for a final determination to be reached on their application. However this is a complex area of law and administration and there can be many reasons for the delays that arise. I will return to those shortly. The need for the existing arrangements to be changed is reflected in the long-standing policy to introduce a single application procedure in the area of international protection.

Since taking office, this Government has taken a number of actions to address the difficulties that have arisen in this area over the years so I think it would be helpful to the debate if I set out what has been done to date and the plans for the future. Before doing that, I think it is important that Members understand the context in which those actions and future plans are being taken so I will take the opportunity to set the scene, so to speak, for the House.

Firstly, what people are we talking about? There are approximately 3,700 persons with asylum or subsidiary protection application decisions pending. In terms of the number of people who it is intended to bring within the ambit of the Senator's Bill, 48% of those persons are in the system for four years or more.