David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

It will be an important and progressive step, but in what direction? The interim measures are a step backwards, which is regrettable. The Minister has said it provides a framework for effective access to the labour force. Does it? I most certainly think not.

The Minister has said that "in determining the level of access to be provided for applicants, the implementation group, the membership of which is drawn from across a wide range of Departments and services, will be cognisant of a number of important factors." It is welcome that when the interim process is over, the Minister will take steps to effectively raise the allowance paid to refugees. That is important. Under the current regime, the people in question receive €19 a week. How, in the name of God, can somebody who is supposed to be looking after his or her family on €19 a week be able to afford to pay between €500 and €1,000 for an employment permit? It is perfectly obvious that he or she will not be able to do so.

I have received a communication from the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland, MASI. It states that "as people seeking asylum in Ireland and as the people directly affected by this, we ask you not to support the Government's proposed measures today, measures which will impose impossible restrictions on our access to work". That is coming from the coalface. If one wants to know if the boot pinches, one does not ask the boot, one asks the foot. In this case, the foot has made its view clear.

Asylum seekers will be limited to jobs earning over €30,000, barred from 60 occupations, including most trades, many care worker and health care professions, construction, retail, domestic work, hospitality and many other sectors. That is a huge range of jobs. It has been pointed out that this measure discriminates particularly against women because most of the jobs that will be open to asylum seekers are male-dominated. We must bear in mind that in 2000 the direct provision system was originally an interim arrangement for a temporary period. However, we have been stuck with it for 18 years. One really is a little concerned about the new interim measure.

The man who took the original Supreme Court action, a Rohingya, will not be able to find a job under the new interim guidelines. That to me makes it look as if the interim guidelines are an attempt to frustrate and get around the decision of the Supreme Court. That is something of which we need to be careful. I am rather surprised that the Minister who I know is a decent, humane and compassionate man would stand over an arrangement such as this. Perhaps there might be technical reasons which he can give to the House these ridiculous provisions under which people with nothing will pay between €500 and €1,000 and will be barred from 60 jobs were introduced. I hope he will answer some of these questions because some of them were posed at the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality and, according to my information, were not answered adequately.

In the light of these observations, I will be opposing the motion and calling a vote on it.