Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have a particular interest in this subject. I chaired the Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions, which produced a report on the issue. We travelled across the State, visited the direct provision centres and met asylum seekers and representatives of NGOs. I acknowledge the work of the NGOs which work on the front line, including the Irish Refugee Council, Doras Luimní, NASC, Spirasi, the Jesuit Refugee Service, Crosscare and others.

In particular, I thank the Irish Refugee Council and NASC for their inputs to the Bill. They have a number of documented concerns around the Bill. My colleague, Senator Ó Clochartaigh, also worked extremely hard with me and other colleagues in putting together the report.