Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I agree with my colleague, Senator Higgins. Ireland is known around the world for its generosity, compassion and humanity. We do not have to look too far to see all the great work done by Irish overseas agencies. The conditions in direct provision where we keep people are shocking. It is a disgrace. It is not right that people are kept in such conditions. Some county councillors, who are also concerned about this issue, have described direct provision as the modern Magdalen laundries. It is imperative that when people come to Ireland we treat them with the respect and dignity they deserve. We need to improve the standards in which they are kept but also reduce the time it takes to process asylum seekers.

I welcome this Immigration (Reform) (Registration of Residency Status) Bill 2016 and acknowledge the good work of Senator Norris and the working group on direct provision, chaired by Mr. Justice Bryan MacMahon. We need to ensure that Ireland complies with international human rights standards and continually review our work in this area. We need to ensure that when dealing with the vulnerable in our society and those who seek safety in our country we treat them with compassion, empathy and above all respect.