Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Last week, we saw horrific reports from the Mosney direct provision accommodation centre whereby residents were being sold out-of-date food for consumption - chicken meat that was two months out of date - leading to food poisoning.The residents of Mosney are being forced into a system of segregated shopping rather than being allowed buy food at a regular shop like everyone else. There is a very real scandal over the huge profits being made by companies administrating direct provision on behalf of this Government. Ireland is, in fact, one of only two countries in Europe that does not recognise the Reception Conditions Directive. I ask that the Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality, Deputy Stanton, come to the House to debate this matter and explain what action he intends to take to bring us in line with this ruling.

The direct provision system is a system of shame. Direct provision needs to be abolished. The Government should close all 32 centres and allow applicants the right to work and have access to the labour market. People should not be forced to live in institutionalised living conditions. They deserve to be properly integrated into the community and proper access to third level education.