Garret Kelleher (Fine Gael)

The Minister of State is no stranger to the Seanad Chamber, and nor is his colleague the Minister, Deputy O'Callaghan, who has been very forthcoming with his time in coming here to debate these issues. That is something for which we are all very grateful.

Nuair a smaoiníonn muid ar chúrsaí imirce, is fíorthábhachtach an rud é smaoineamh ar ár stair, ár seanmhuintir agus ár n-oidhreacht. I gcás fhormhór na ndaoine sa tSeomra inniu, rugadh ár sin-seantuismitheoirí am éigin ag deireadh na 19ú haoise. Rugadh a seantuismitheoirí féin am éigin ag tús na 19ú haoise, rud a chiallaíonn go raibh siad anseo le linn an Ghorta Mhóir. Is é an pointe atá á dhéanamh agam ná nuair atá muid ag déileáil le cúrsaí tithíochta, sláinte agus imirce inniu, ní i bhfad ó shín a bhí muintir na tíre seo ag déileáil leis na fadhbanna a bhí bainteach leis an nGorta Mór. At various stages throughout the 20th century and even more recently following the economic crash of 2008 and the years that followed, Irish people were forced to emigrate out of economic necessity. That gave rise to its own challenges for many people in settling and integrating in countries that were not home to them and having to deal with discrimination from certain quarters. Nonetheless, we have a proud history of integrating where we have travelled abroad through our diaspora and helping to build communities and contribute where we have made our lives.

I have experience of living in a number of different countries abroad having spent time in America, Australia and Luxemburg. My experience has been very positive, as I have said in this House previously. It is important for us to ensure that we have a mature approach to people who seek refuge in our country and seek to make Ireland a home for a variety of reasons.

In this regard, the establishment by Government of the community recognition fund in recent years was a very positive step towards acknowledging the support and huge efforts that have been made by communities across the country to welcome and support people fleeing war and seeking protection here. The Latin motto of my home city of Cork is statio bene fida carinis, which translates loosely as a safe harbour for all ships. Like so many other communities across the country, Cork has played its part in welcoming those fleeing war, including many who lost their homes with the illegal invasion by Russia of Ukraine in February 2022. Cork communities have benefited from the recognition fund to the tune of €170,000 for the Glen Resource Centre, over €80,000 for a new playground in my hometown of Ballincollig and €75,000 for an upgrade to Neptune Stadium.

It is important to recognise the scale of the issue Ireland had to deal with in the area of international protection and how quickly it escalated as a result of international conflicts and climate change in various parts of the world. In the decade prior to 2022, there were an average of 2,500 international protection applicants per year over a ten-year period. Therefore, in the region of 25,000 people arrived during that time. In 2022, the number of applicants increased dramatically to approximately 13,500. There were another 13,500 in 2023. In 2024, the number of applicants rose to in excess of 16,000. Dealing with that scale of change obviously posed massive logistical issues. We were in a weak bargaining position, for want of a better expression, when it came to offers of accommodation. This is something we have to seek to rectify as we seek to manage the problems that have arisen.

A lot of progress has been made this year in the area of deportations, with six chartered flights used to deport people who were illegally in the country. Five of the six flights related to people from outside the EU who made their way to Ireland illegally. The other related to EU citizens who were deported out of the country as a result of criminal convictions. Therefore, it is important to see that enforcement in the area of immigration has been significantly stepped up. This year alone, in the context of the flights to which I refer, there were 3,877 deportation orders signed. Some 1,770 people who were the subject of those orders were deported from the State. That information was accurate up to the end of October. This is on the back of increases prior to last year, when 2,403 deportation orders were signed. That represents 180% of the 2023 total.The point I made in relation to the removal from the State of convicted criminals who are a danger to public safety is something that has been a priority. It is good to see action on it because it is a concern for the wider public. With that, táim an-sásta an rún a mholadh.