Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Today I wish to raise two items. The first relates to the commentary that homeless families may be moved out of emergency accommodation given the increased volume of tourists in Dublin city during the papal visit in August. This report is very worrying. Despite reports to the contrary, Fr. Peter McVerry commented today that this will affect families currently living in hotels. He understands that they will be told that rooms will be pre-booked for the visit and they will have to move out. There are 1,712 homeless families living in emergency accommodation in Dublin. Some 110 people sleep rough each night. The idea of homeless families having to leave emergency accommodation goes very much against the spirit of Christianity and what the Pope is trying to achieve.

I understand President Trump's zero tolerance policy in regard to the separation of children from their parents on the Mexican border may have been raised yesterday. I condemn this policy in the fullest possible way. We have been presented with nightmare scenes where families have been separated from their children. It is heartbreaking and terrifying for any family to even contemplate such a separation. To think this is happening in a so-called modern democracy is unbelievable. I concur with and commend the Taoiseach on his comments today. He called it a mistake for President Trump to leave the UN Human Rights Council on foot of world and UN criticism. I call for a debate in the House on the matter. I am glad to hear that eight states have recalled their National Guard troops from the border. A shocking statistic which I learned was that to date in April and May of this year, 1,995 children have been separated from their parents who are facing prosecution for crossing the border unlawfully. It is unbelievable that this is happening in a modern democracy and country we call a friend. I want to put that on the record.