Question again proposed: “That the Bill be now read a Second Time.” An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: Deputy Clare Daly was in possession. Deputy Clare Daly: I have one minute left. An Leas-Cheann Comhairle: She is sharing time with Deputies Mick Wallace, Paul Murphy, Shane Ross, Richard Boyd Barrett, Finian McGrath and Maureen O’Sullivan. Deputy Clare Daly: […]

156. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recent agreement reached between the European Union and Turkey on the refugee crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Charles Flanagan): On 29 November, the Taoiseach attended an […]

95. Deputy Eric Byrne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the measures she is taking to deal with the outrageous system of queueing that is currently in place for the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): In […]

325. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if an analysis of an area is conducted on medical services, public transport, potential isolation and the percentage change in the population prior to the introduction of refugees and asylum seekers into that area and if due consideration should be given to such an […]

324. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if it is good practice to have a consultation process with locals in place prior to introducing asylum seekers and refugees into an area, if consultation is required by legislation and the time period for the it to take place prior to the introduction […]

322. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the International Protection Bill 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): I thank the Deputy for raising the International Protection Bill 2015 which will be […]

318. Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the amounts paid to the operators of Knockalisheen direct provision centre, by operator and by individual contract, from its first use as a direct provision centre to the present. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): I refer the Deputy to my reply […]

317. Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 105 of 1 December 2015, if she keeps a readily available breakdown of the amounts paid to companies contracted to run State-owned direct provision centres; the parliamentary and public oversight mechanisms in place to monitor these multi-million euro contracts; […]

310. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if 183 male asylum seekers are to be accommodated in Ballybunion in County Kerry; the timeframe for this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): On 31 July 2015, RIA, the Reception and […]

117. Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the cost of increasing the direct provision adult allowance from €19.10 to €25.00, €30.00, €35.00, 38.74, and the cost of increasing the allowance paid in respect of children from €9.60 to €15.00, €20.00, €25.00, €29.80, per year, in tabular form; and if she […]

Today, Nasc is launching a week long social media campaign which aims to challenge some of the negative stereotypes that face the Roma community, and instead to highlight what makes individuals proud to have a Roma identity and to be a part of the Roma community. The social media campaign, which was designed by members of […]

Doras Luimní, the Irish Refugee Council, Migrant Rights Centre Ireland and Nasc are calling for the International Protection Bill, currently before the Seanad, to be withdrawn so that it can be properly amended by the Government and full consideration must be given to concerns expressed by organisations that work directly with asylum seekers and refugees. […]

Nasc are deeply alarmed that the Government has introduced a motion to the Seanad, which is an attempt to guillotine the International Protection Bill, 2015 through the committee and final stages. “This does not allow enough time for a proper, democratic debate of the Bill,” states Nasc CEO Fiona Finn. “We were already concerned that […]

132. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality why there is a cost to register for citizenship (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): The Irish Nationality and Citizenship Regulations 2011 (S.I. 569 of 2011) sets out the fees […]

39. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he is satisfied with the role he and Túsla – Child and Family Agency have played in the welfare of children in direct provision and if any measures are under way to improve the provision of care; the measures he is taking […]

Issued by UNHCR Ireland on behalf of Nasc, SPIRASI, Children’s Rights Alliance, Jesuit Refugee Service Ireland, and the Core Group of Asylum Seekers and Refugees For Immediate Release: The publication of the International Protection bill is a missed opportunity for people still in direct provision, according to organisations who took part in the Working Group […]

332. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will identify all sites being examined for housing refugees, temporarily or in the long term. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): As the Deputy is aware, the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) was approved by Government Decision on 10 September […]

331. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there are ongoing negotiations to house refugees with the owners of a property (details supplied) in County Kildare. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): The Deputy will be aware that the Government has established an Inter-Departmental and Inter-Agency Task Force to […]

310. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the actions she is taking to ensure that extreme right-wing views on immigrants from Syria and other countries being branded as terrorists are tackled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): As the […]

309. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the Schengan agreement; if members of the European Union Council want it dismantled; if it is under threat, given the atrocities in Paris in France; and if she will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy […]