Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

On a number of occasion in recent weeks, there have been consistent call in the House for a debate on migration, specifically focusing on Europe's migration policies, including Ireland's. As the issues accumulate, I would like to highlight another that may need to be addressed in the debate. We need to have the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Frances Fitzgerald, in the House to discuss this. We also need to consider some of the decisions recently taken that have caused great distress across Ireland. In light of the new international protection order and organisation under the new policies we have, a 60-page form was issued in late February to many of those in the State's asylum system. They have been encouraged to return it within 20 days. It has been documented in the public sphere that great distress has been caused by this. The asylum seekers have been advised to seek legal advice. Asking many of those in direct provision, who are on €19 per week, to seek legal advice on filling in a-60 page form at such short notice that could affect their future and could be extraordinarily intimidating is completely unreasonable. Some have now indicated they will talk to solicitors and they are seeking advice. There has been a lot of confusion.

Could the Leader of the House ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, even in advance of the debate we will have here on migration, whether she will issue clarification and reassurance and, if necessary, offer legal support to all those facing this very daunting and intimidating prospect? It points to the unfortunate fact that we in Ireland are failing in our migration policy in terms of accepting adequate numbers in the European context and also in terms of ensuring full dignity, support and fair treatment for all those within the system. I would like the House to address this.

I wholeheartedly support the motion put forward by Senator Gavan. It is very reasonably worded and fair. Considering the amount of resources expended by Tesco, a company with €250 million in profit, one knows the matter cannot be about a small number of workers. In the human resources blogs, we see exactly what this is about; it is about remaking the way work is done so an individual's contract no longer stands when facing the preferences of a company for a new business model. As representatives of the public, we are an important counterbalance and reminder in this regard. I look forward to what I hope will be the passage of the motion today.