David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am discussing what happened yesterday. It is a very important matter because the message should go out that asylum seekers were left swinging by the vote. An inaccurate account of the Bill was given by Senator Ó Clochartaigh. He said there was no provision for travelling. I pointed out the section in which this was dealt with. He said the Government would accept no amendments, within 20 minutes of the Government's having accepted three amendments tabled by Senator Barrett. That was complete and absolute nonsense. I sent a copy of the Bill to Ms Sue Conlon of the Irish Refugee Council, at her request. I have yet to have it acknowledged. There has been no comment or reference to it. That is a bit absurd. NGOs should be very careful of playing a territorial game. It was a very useful discussion and I hope it advances matters in this area, but Sinn Féin let itself and the Irish people down rather badly.