Eileen Flynn (Independent)

I know exactly what it is like to face racism, discrimination and hate in this country. I know what it is like to see Traveller accommodation being burned. I know what it is like for members of the Traveller community who experience multiple levels of racism and discrimination. Even when looking for accommodation under the HAP scheme, people are discriminated against because they are members of the Traveller community, they are black or brown or are from the Muslim community.

The ill-treatment of migrants, asylum seekers and refugees in this country has reached a frightening level. We see a lot of homeless refugees and migrants now but before we had the big levels of migrants coming to this country, we had a homeless crisis and the Government needs to take responsibility for that. No disrespect to the Minister of State, but it suits the Government that the argument is between the foreigners and the homeless Irish, which should not be the case. We have direct provision centres that are not fit for purpose. Children are living in run-down centres and hoteliers are making a lot of profit off the backs of very vulnerable people. Many people who come to this country are escaping political persecution or are moving away from their families because it is not acceptable to be gay and so on. We have to remember that nobody wants to leave their own native land. They are here for a reason, namely for international protection.

In 2020, there was a big conversation, led by the former Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, on the White Paper on ending direct provision. Where are we with that White Paper now? The Government used the Ukrainian war as an excuse not to end direct provision. I do not know whether the Minister of State has ever been to a direct provision centre. Has he ever seen the appalling conditions that women and children have to live in? They are treated more like prisoners than human beings.

We are seeing the rise of the far right and for me, that is very frightening. Our health system is standing on one leg and it would not even be standing if it were not for migrant workers, including doctors and nurses. Two years ago I was rushed to Letterkenny hospital with a collapsed lung and the doctors who saved my life were not Irish. If any of us is sick or sore and has to go into hospital, we are not going to ask if the staff have their papers to be here. We are going to accept the care they give. There are also lots of au pairs in this country working in families' homes who are ill treated. We hear talk about migrants coming here and taking but they are not taking anything from an Irish person. They are taking absolutely nothing from Irish people. This Government and previous Governments have failed the people when it comes to homelessness in this country and the provision of safe, appropriate accommodation. We need to be realistic that it is not the migrants' fault. We need to stop the divide and conquer and come together as a State and provide safe accommodation for people and not have people living like prisoners. People are escaping danger, coming here and then feeling at even more risk of being hurt on the streets of our country. We do not want that anymore. I know that the far right will run off with some of my statement here today but I do not give two --- about the far right because these are human beings. As a Senator said earlier, we must have compassion. I have so much compassion for black and brown people in this country and for all refugees. The Government needs to up its game. It has been held accountable by the European Court of Justice but is ignoring that ruling. The Government needs to work with migrants and refugees, make Ireland a safe place for them and treat people with dignity and respect. Finally, I ask the Minister of State to provide us with an update on the White Paper.