Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am not happy with that response because it is a classic Civil Service scripted response. It does not deal with the questions I asked the Minister of State. It is a very disappointing response, in particular, to the question about the right to work. Ireland is one of only two countries in Europe that does not recognise the reception conditions directive, which reflects very badly on us. The people concerned deserve to have the right to work. The Minister of State did not give a timeframe for when increased payments to adults will be made. Pilot schemes which allow access to third level education are no replacement for actually giving people their rights. What I take from the Minister of State's answer is that he is happy for the people concerned to continue as second-class citizens in the State. That is no way for a republic to act.