Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will be brief, as the final comment will be from my colleague, Senator Kelleher. I commend her on her extraordinary work in bringing this important Bill through the House, and I thank everyone in the House who has supported it.

Mine is a simple and small point. There is no limitation on being good and delivering our targets. The Minister of State referred to the European target of 40,000 refugees to which Ireland agreed, but it has not even come close to being reached. As such, it would be inappropriate for us to place vulnerable persons in a competition against other vulnerable persons. The small number of people who have been awarded refugee status and whom Ireland takes in have the right to have their closest and dependent family members with them. This is not something that we should be setting against other important issues.

I wish to raise a concern on a practical level.The Minister of State has spoken about a Government decision to deny a money message. The denial of a money message is a matter that can only take place in the Lower House of the Oireachtas. Moreover a decision on a money message can only be made following a decision of the Ceann Comhairle that a money message is required in respect of a Bill. The decision on a money message comes between the Second and Committee Stages in the Dáil. I think it is very important that there be no signal sent out that due process and proper full consideration would not be given to this Bill. I know and I am sure that other Members will be demanding and expecting that the Bill be given its full consideration.

The Minister of State raised the question of discretion. He may well have amendments or proposals in respect of ministerial discretion and I am sure that they will be listened to openly and given proper consideration. For the amendments to be given proper consideration, the Bill must proceed to Committee Stage for a full discussion.

I plead that the Bill be given the full consideration of the Dáil. This is a very positive day for Ireland in sending a positive signal. Given that we hosted the UN meeting on refugees more than one year ago, we take the issue seriously and will follow through on the message we send at the highest level.