Sharon Keogan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise points related to the continued migration crisis in Ireland. The latest immigration figures show that 8,100 people have applied for asylum or refugee status to date in 2024, which is approximately 61 people per day. If this rate of application for international protection continues, Ireland will reach 22,000 applications this year. We already have more than 27,000 people in direct provision accommodation at this time. EU figures show that the rate of illegal immigrants is ten times higher in Ireland than the EU average.

As part of Dublin city continues to be cordoned off, one cannot help but be reminded of the concept of building a wall to shut out the problems of failed immigration. This rhetoric resulted in President Trump becoming vilified for promoting the idea of building a wall and being labelled a racist and a xenophobe. I cannot help but wonder what this Government would say in response to such allegations. A problem moved is not a problem solved. Rather, it is a problem compounded until it worsens. The promises are inhumane failures of a broken system. The scenes along the canal in Dublin on 10 February were nothing short of a national disgrace. The number of tents in the area over the past weekend has reached up to 100, according to Gript media.

The EU migration pact is sold as a solution to our problems but it is an international agreement far removed from the national crisis in which we find ourselves. We are at a standstill with UK asylum relations and, as already stated by the Minister, Deputy McEntee, the North is the main entry point to the Irish asylum system. This is not good enough, it is inhumane and it is a great disservice to the people of Ireland as this issue continues to destabilise and strain communities and localities all over Ireland. It is time the Government had an adult conversation about this subject.