I want to raise the issue of the direct provision system being used across the country. We have a case only this week in Globe House in Sligo where a Kurdish man, Mr. Amjad Rosstami, has spent 35 days on hunger strike. That particular case may be dealt with but it certainly highlights the fact there are 5,000 people in this country in direct provision centres, many of them for many years. I am sure, as was stated in the Calais debate here, everyone on all sides of the House recognises we have an obligation to help these people who come from repressive regimes and war-torn places around the world, and to throw them into these inappropriate positions and leave them there for time on end is wrong. I am asking the Taoiseach if he will make a commitment that this Government will end the direct provision system and treat our refugees with humanity in an efficient matter so that they can be sorted out quickly.

As Deputy Martin Kenny will be well aware, this was the subject of a fine report by Mr. Justice McMahon, commissioned by the previous Government. The Government today considered a report in respect of child care from the rapporteur, Dr. Shannon, that contained 97 recommendations, one of which is that direct provision should be abolished. I would make the point to the Deputy that the Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality, Deputy Stanton, who has done an extensive amount of work in this area, has been visiting all of the direct provision centres. Obviously, this requires a strategy and a process by which people who come here as refugees or asylum seekers, who have in the past been sent to direct provision facilities, be given the best level of attention that we can give them, as refugees and asylum seekers.

Is the Taoiseach committing to abolish the system?

The Minister is working hard on the report produced by Mr. Justice McMahon, and following on the report of the special rapporteur today.