Garret Kelleher (Fine Gael)

The availability of accurate information was referenced by a number of Senators during the course of the debate. This is absolutely key so we can take a stand against the politics of hatred, division, misinformation and, very often, the deliberate conflation of issues that relate to migration but are not necessarily interconnected.

The issue of international protection was raised, and one Senator was critical of the Government making an issue of the fact the numbers seeking international protection had escalated. For my part, I said this about the years 2022 to 2024, when the numbers went from, as I said in my earlier contribution, an average of approximately 2,500 per year to more than 13,000 in each of those three years. Senator Gallagher rightly acknowledged the fact this has dropped, through no small effort on the part of the Minister of State, Deputy Brophy, and his colleague, the Minister, Deputy Callaghan.

Senator Stephenson made a very good point about the UK's intention to pull out of the UN convention on human rights, which is obviously a concern. With the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the European Union, different rules apply. Those who made contributions referencing the change in migration policy in the UK did so conscious of the fact it is something we need to be mindful of because there will undoubtedly be consequences with which we will have to deal.

I welcome the Minister of State's reference to the single permit to work and live in Ireland. This is a very positive step forward. I also welcome the progress made towards the programme for Government commitment on the introduction of a contribution model in the area of international protection, whereby those who are in Ireland seeking international protection and working make a contribution towards the accommodation. As many Senators noted, it is important that we have a firm but fair system. While not all applicants are working, many are. This is an area we need to see progress made on.

In relation to those who are in Ireland illegally, it is important that action is taken, as referenced in a number of contributions and by the Minister of State, either by voluntary return or by deportation, if necessary. As the Minister of State did, I commend the good work of An Garda Síochána in co-operating in this regard.

I acknowledge the presence of Councillor Yemi Adenuga. Many others have mentioned the enormous contribution she makes to local government in the face of hostile vitriol on social media and elsewhere. It is very important that we, as elected representatives, stand with Councillor Adenuga and others, and stand against racism.Very briefly, if the Cathaoirleach would indulge me for another ten seconds, I would also like to commend Senator Laura Harmon on a superb anti-racism demonstration that she held in Cork recently, which was very well attended by local and national representatives across the board. It was a very positive step for migrant communities in Cork who participated in that demonstration.