Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Tacaím leis na moltaí atá á dhéanamh go mbeadh díospóireacht againn maidir le cúrsaí an Tuaiscirt, an proiséas síochána agus an ról atá againn anseo chun é sin a chur chun cinn. I support the calls for a debate on issues in the North. It is important that at this stage we focus on the real issues at hand, including the budgetary issues and their implications, the proper functioning of the institutions in the North and how we can foster North-South relations. In the aftermath of the visit to this House by Drew Nelson of the Orange Order, an invitation to the House was issued to the First Minister and Deputy First Minister. It would be timely if the Seanad were to reissue that invitation to the new First Minister, when known, and Deputy First Minister.

Tréaslaím le Dónall Ó Cualáin atá ceapaithe mar leas-choimisinéir an Gharda Síochána. Is garda as Chonamara é. Fear breá é a bhí ag feidhmiú i gceantar an iarthair. Guím gach rath air san ról sin. I would like to again call for a debate on direct provision, particularly the implementation of the recommendations of the working group on direct provision. We have rightly had a lot of discussion about the Syrian refugee crisis and how it is to be handled but I am concerned that the new accommodation to be provided in this regard, as per the advertisements for same, will be direct provision plus. There are currently 4,000 people here languishing in direct provision, in respect of which there are many recommendations made in the working group report, including an increase in the €19.10 per week benefit provided to people there. I expected announcement of such an increase in last week's budget but I have not yet been able to get clarification on that matter. There are huge concerns within the direct provision centres around the manner in which the working group report recommendations are being implemented, how that is being managed, who is in charge and so on. I understand there have been a number of changes in personnel in the agencies leading the work. It is important that the Minister of State, Deputy Ó Ríordáin, comes to the House to update us on this matter.