International Protection Bill
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn urges withdrawal of the International Protection Bill and action on sexual-offences legislation, citing NGO concerns; the Taoiseach says the Bill will be debated and the related legislation is progressing.
The Taoiseach might be aware that there has been serious criticism of the International Protection Bill from all the non-governmental organisations, NGOs, that work with asylum seekers and refugees in the State. They are devastated about the missed opportunity and the failure to consult the working group on issues with the direct provision centres and the profound failures that have occurred. The Bill is due to be debated on Second Stage in the House tomorrow. Will the Government withdraw the Bill and take on board the serious concerns of the respected NGOs that work with refugees and asylum seekers?
Second, the "RTE Investigates" programme has had a hell of a run, but let us not forget its fantastic exposé of the criminal gangs that control prostitution throughout the island. There is legislation in the North that decriminalises women in prostitution and imposes the criminal offence on the user, who is almost always a man. Members must look at that documentary-----
Comment on this
-----and understand. Will the Taoiseach ensure that the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill, which will deal with those issues, is introduced before the Christmas recess? There is serious concern that there will be two different legal realities on this island which obviously will have implications for the State. Will the Taoiseach address that before he calls an election? I urge him to do it before the Christmas recess.
Comment on this
Deputy Mac Lochlainn need not worry about the election at all. The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill is currently before the Seanad, where I expect many Members will raise the issues the Deputy has raised. I commend RTE on the programme it produced. This Bill is a Government priority.
The Second Stage debate on the International Protection Bill will be held in the House tomorrow. I expect a good discussion on it. I hope Members will have constructive suggestions to make that will be helpful to the Minister in implementing it. Clearly, there is a deal of work to be done in the future in terms of the implications of that Bill, and the Government looks forward to the participation of Members and their constructive views on how they believe the matter can be advanced and implemented.