David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

With regard to direct provision, I understand there have been some ameliorations but the situation is not being addressed globally. It is not being addressed in the way proposed in the Bill I presented to the House, which would have progressed had Sinn Féin not got cold feet at the last minute.

The Minister of State said that more than a quarter of the recommendations have been taken on board. The view of the group which made the recommendations is that the more conservative ones have been taken on board, including the recommendation in relation to the single procedure. Everybody welcomes single procedure but it is dependent on a series of surrounding clauses. In the view of the group the single procedure will not cure the problems in the Irish asylum system unless there are proper safeguards in place which protect asylum seekers from cursory examination of their applications and a swift move towards deportation. However, that is one of the recommendations which the Minister of State has taken on board.

In regard to the Minister of State's question as to who said that the more conservative recommendations have been taken on board, that is the view of the Irish Refugee Council. The latter stated that with the exception of the single procedure, which I have already dealt with and which is ineffective unless certain other attendant matters are dealt with - these are not dealt with in the Bill - the Minister has cherry-picked a handful of the more conservative recommendations and ignored any positive recommendations such those relating to the right to work, which is the recommendation we are currently discussing, early identification of vulnerable applicants and the application of the best-interests-of-the-child principle in respect of all asylum-seeking children. In addition, the Bill erodes rights to family reunification and introduces harsher detention measures.

A number of groups working in this area have called for the withdrawal of the Bill. These are the people working at the coalface. I regret to have to say it - and, particularly, to have to say it to the Minister of State, Deputy Ó Ríordáin - but I think this Bill should be withdrawn.