Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday I raised the very serious situation in the Skellig Star direct provision centre in Cahersiveen. I asked that the House would hear statements from a Minister on the very stark humanitarian crisis that residents in the centre are facing and an update on the Government's plans to bring the system of direct provision to an end. It was the responsible thing to do to suggest we provide an opportunity to hear such an update, engage on this issue and raise concerns, not least given the fact that residents in the Cahersiveen direct provision centre have started a hunger strike and that they have serious concerns about their access to safe drinking water. These are all very serious and real concerns. Senators from Fianna Fáil agreed with me and Senator Hoey when we raised these issues and, if it is to be believed, the Green Party will take credit for adding an end to direct provision into the programme for Government.

The purpose of raising this issue yesterday and seeking to amend the Order of Business was to give the Government parties an opportunity to sort this out. They have not done so. I have not had so much as a piece of correspondence or a phone call about this even asking for a bit more time - nothing. There has been absolute radio silence. All the while the situation in the Skellig Star continues. That is really not good enough. I, therefore, propose an amendment to the Order of Business: "That a Minister, preferably the Minister for Justice or the Minister with responsibility for children, disability, equality and integration, come before the House to update Members on this situation and the process to bring direct provision to an end." It is not too much to ask as we come to the end of our business before the summer break. This amendment does not seek to delay or hinder any legislation. It seeks a debate in the House on a very stark, real, immediate and dangerous humanitarian situation. If we are not even going to acknowledge the authoritarian approach of the Government parties on this with a debate or an update, it is a very worrying and very concerning potential sign of things to come, and I do not think this side of the House will be too accepting of it.