Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Most speakers have covered the logistics within the legislation, the statistics, the referendum and so on. In the couple of minutes I have available, I will try to outline how I feel about this issue. Approximately two years ago, I attended several court hearings in regard to a deportation. As I sat in the courthouse, I was struck by the accents and Irishness of the people around me. As mentioned by Senator Flynn, we do not need to measure Irishness because people bring their own culture and heritage and we appreciate, support and love that too. I sat in that courthouse with a mother and her two sons waiting to hear yet again that they will be deported. I was sitting beside the eldest son, who was hoping to go to University Limerick, and the youngest son, who was in third year at that time. My arm was resting on my leg beside his arm. We were both wearing the same bracelet, which had been given us to us by an artist for our participation in his work. This artist gives the same bracelet to all participants but this young man had not been in an art piece with me so I was reminded that somewhere along the line he had participated in another part of the country in work by the artist with whom I had worked. I remember feeling incredibly connected to him in that moment. My bracelet broke. To remember the idea of this perfect circle and how love goes around and how when we treat each other well love is equal between people, families, nationalities and cultures, I had the bracelet tattooed on me so I could be reminded of that moment sitting in that courtroom and the sense and feeling of hopelessness that I would not be able to help that family in any shape or form. Luckily, following a campaign and through ministerial discretion, we managed to have the deportation order lifted. Two years later, I visited that woman, whose character was dismantled in the courthouse that day. She was unrecognisable to me. Her skin was glowing, her hair was beautiful and she stood tall. I could not believe how tall she was. I had spent several days with her in the courthouse and I saw the physical effect on her of living undocumented. Eighteen months to two years later, she looked like a different woman and could stand tall. I keep that vision with me. We could give this to so many people and families and lift from them that burden they are carrying with them.