Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the White Paper released by the Government outlining a plan to end the temporary arrangements which were put in place as an emergency response by way of direct provision. I also welcome the commitment to State-provided and NGO-supported accommodation for those seeking asylum in our country. Those seeking asylum will be staying temporarily in this accommodation. Wrap-around services will be provided to them in order that they can actually get on with their lives, integrate, assimilate, take up employment and pursue studies in education.

This is welcome news and a real sign of commitment from the three parties in government to actually deliver on that promise we all made. Will the Leader take up with the Minister for Justice, however, the backlog that exists for those who are seeking asylum and permission to remain? It is vitally important that the time is used now to clear that backlog.

I congratulate the director and board members of the Hugh Lane Gallery and all those who have been involved in brokering an agreement for the bringing home and sharing of the Hugh Lane bequest. This is a saga that has gone on since 1915. Hugh Lane was a young boy from Cork with very limited education who went to the UK. From a young age, he educated himself in the arts and became one of the first directors of our National Gallery. Most visionary and altruistic of him was his commitment to open a modern art gallery in Dublin for the people of Dublin. I was delighted that, ultimately, after a very long saga, they did locate it on Dublin's north side, despite fierce opposition from conservative forces who felt that it would keep workers away from their work and queried why they would want to be distracted by art. I can say to all of the workers in Dublin that once the pandemic is over, I invite them all to come to the north side and Parnell Square to enjoy the beautiful Hugh Lane bequest and the works of Monet, Manet, Renoir and Degas. They will be there for everybody to see for free on the north side. Please put it in your diaries.