Marie Sherlock (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am seeking clarity, if possible today, from the Ministers for Justice and integration about the system of referral of international protection, IP, applicants to the International Protection Accommodation Services, IPAS. Most of us in this House agree that the emergence of tents and people being forced to camp overnight along the canal and in other areas around the city is inhumane. It deprives the people of any dignity. The lack of sanitation and so forth is degrading and communities also have legitimate concerns.

In recent days, we have seen what I might call a lopsided approach whereby An Garda Síochána is clearing the tents and is not following, as we understand it, the procedure of referring the IP applicants to IPAS. They are being told that they have to leave the area they are in and that if they set up camp somewhere else they may be arrested and they are left with literally nowhere to go. Particularly at a time where the risk of attack is significant, it is simply not good enough that the system that is supposed to work is failing. What is happening is interesting because in the High Court last month, by way of affidavit, an assistant secretary general from the Department of integration confirmed that An Garda Síochána is working closely with IPAS on the emergency referral system. While it may have worked in recent weeks, I understand that it has not been working in recent days. There is inconsistent information from An Garda Síochána. Some gardaí do not appear to know about the emergency referral system, others do. We need clarification from both Ministers about what exactly is happening with that referral process at this time.