We need to have a debate about opting in to the EU reception conditions directive. I am in favour of the implementation of the directive but we need to have a debate about it, first, because of the conditions of asylum seekers in our country who were treated and continue to be treated appallingly and, second, because all the indications are that the Government intends to implement the directive in such a limited way as to make, for example, the right to work effectively inoperable for a majority of asylum seekers, ruling out 60 occupations, limiting it to jobs that pay more than €30,000 a year and requiring work permits that would cost between €500 and €1,000, so I believe we should have a debate.

We agree. Sinn Féin wants to see a full debate being held on this issue because the Minister needs to clarify his attitude to these matters. This EU directive is long overdue and it seems the Government is taking a minimal position.

I want to add to the voices asking for a debate, particularly on the issue about rights for people in the refugee process to work. The way the Government has managed this is a disgrace. We were given clear timelines by the High Court. We are ignoring them and to we need that debate to try to have a proper understanding of what is happening. I fully agree with the proposal.

I understand the Seanad will have a debate on that matter today and it would be appropriate if time were set aside in this House so that the Members of this House can have an input in the same way because it seems from the presentation made by the Minister that the minimum compliance is to be sought pending determination of the new European regulation. To exclude people from work, and there are only two EU countries that do that, would be unacceptable to a great number of Members of the House.

From our perspective, we have no difficulty with facilitating time for a debate but it is curious that almost every party here which was at the Business Committee did not seem to have articulated that imperative. I am surprised that it has come to the floor of the House and that we have to go back again, but I have no difficulty with that if that is what people desire.

We will make arrangements immediately after this session for the Business Committee people.

Of course it is an issue for the Business Committee as to whether time is allowed for this, but perhaps I can clarify the position because there may be a misunderstanding. The Minister, Deputy Flanagan, briefed Cabinet about this matter this morning. We are doing this in two steps and the first step is quite minimalist. It is only allowing asylum seekers who have been here for six to nine months to work, more or less on the same basis as somebody who is applying for a work permit, in addition to that access to self-employment. This is just a first step. We made a previous announcement some months ago that there would be much wider access to the labour market, including employment for positions that pay less than €30,000 a year. It has not been possible to do that, get the procedures in place and notify the European Commission that we are opting into the directive, so we are not going as far as we intend to go. We are doing this in two steps, namely, this rather minimalist step first and then the almost full access, which is what we committed to, and that will be done in June. I am sure the Minister, Deputy Flanagan, can explain that in more detail but I just want to reassure the House that what is being done now is not the end of it. It is just the first step, and the second step will be much wider access to the labour market.

Thank you, Taoiseach. That is helpful. I take it we can make contact with the Business Committee members this afternoon and see if agreement can be reached on providing time. Notwithstanding that, is the proposal for dealing with today's business agreed to? Agreed. Is the proposal for dealing with Wednesday's business agreed to? Agreed. Finally, is the proposal for dealing with Thursday's business agreed to? Agreed.

On promised legislation, I call Deputy Micheál Martin.