Residency for parents of Irish children
Higgins seeks urgent intervention for people with Irish-citizen children who withdrew asylum applications in anticipation of residency. The Tánaiste says the broader issue belongs to the Justice Minister and notes that related legislation will come before the House.
That is a very positive development. We would be a disgrace in front the nations and peoples of the world if we were to deport a woman in Juliet Imiruaye's position.
Will the Tánaiste elaborate on her last comment on whether she also appreciates the particular case of some thousands of people with children who are Irish citizens who were advised quite solidly by the legal profession and others to withdraw their application for asylum on foot of a hope of residency before the Supreme Court judgment? They constitute a category that needs urgent intervention. The ESRI or other reports that have been published in the past week indicate that these people's labour will certainly be needed here. Their situation requires particular intervention. Will the Tánaiste positively consider their position?
Comment on this
The more general question is more appropriate to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. The legislation that is required on foot of the referendum will come to the House shortly.
In regard to the specific case, because of the contribution Juliet made in regard to this issue and the contribution she has made in regard to health services generally and given that she asked me to intervene, I was very happy to do that on her behalf.