Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I join others in thanking the staff for all they do for us. I also wish colleagues well heading into the break.

When we read things in the newspapers, we often wonder whether what we are reading is actually true. It sometimes turns out that the newspapers have not given the full story. Occasionally, there can be enough evidence in what is stated in a newspaper to give us serious cause for concern. As I do not want us to be too comfortable as we head into our summer break, I wish to refer to a newspaper report on the case of Paloma Silva-Carvalho, a Brazilian woman who worked as an au pair in Ireland before returning to Brazil within the prescribed time. I understand that earlier this week she visited her boyfriend or fiance in Basel, Switzerland before beginning her journey to Ireland to visit the family in County Galway for whom she had worked. Despite the fact that, according to the Garda, a Brazilian national may visit this country without a visa for up to 90 days, she was detained by the Garda. A habeas corpusapplication made on her behalf seems to have failed. She was sent to the Dóchas women's prison at Mountjoy Prison and due to be deported. By the time the Garda relented and gave her permission to stay for up to ten days, she was so traumatised by her experience that she decided to leave the country. It appears that the family she was due to visit were waiting to pick her up, but she was unable to get on the bus to Galway. A return ticket had been bought. Her mother was also planning to visit and they were due to return in September. I would like to know what is going on.