Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, that No. 4 be taken before No. 1. On behalf of the Civil Engagement Group, I am today introducing the Deportation Moratorium (Covid-19) Bill 2020. This will be taken in our Private Members' time next week and I call on all Senators to support it. The Bill is very straightforward. It would implement an emergency moratorium on the deportation of refugees and migrants from the State for the duration of the Covid-19 pandemic and for as long as general measures restricting movement and travel are in place.The principle underlying the Bill is very simple. Since the beginning of the pandemic, international travel has been identified as a key source and transmitter of the Covid-19 virus. It is Government policy to restrict the movements of people coming into, travelling within and leaving the State to restrict the spread and incidence of the virus. However, this policy has not been extended to those seeking refugee or legal migration status. Deportations have continued unabated throughout the pandemic. Ireland has drawn international criticism and scorn for relying on migrants in our health service to combat the virus and then issuing them with deportation orders after a few short months. It is frankly hypocritical for the Government to tell people that international travel is too dangerous on the grounds that they may spread the virus while at the same time forcing vulnerable refugees and migrants to leave the State and return to potentially less stable or safe jurisdictions, thus endangering their own health and global efforts to reduce the spread of Covid-19. If international travel is off the cards it must be so for everyone, particularly for vulnerable migrants. Our Bill is timely emergency legislation to support those in need of protection and I call on all Senators to support it next week.