I do not know whether the Minister has noticed but there are seven people outside the Dáil who have been there on hunger strike since Monday. After four days of no food, they are in a pretty bad way. They have faced abuse and threats daily from far-right activists, who have come here specifically to do that. I understand they are outside now. The seven are on hunger strike because they are afraid for their lives of being deported to South Africa.

South Africa is ranked among the top five most violent countries in the world; despite that, the Irish State has designated it as a so-called safe country. Ireland is one of only two countries in the EU to do so, which means it is easier to deport people to South Africa. Is any consideration given to the heightened dangers faced by LGBTQ+ people and HIV-positive people, in particular? They have told me they face a terrifying reality and say they have had knives pulled on them, been threatened with guns and been told outright they would be killed for being gay. It is completely unacceptable to tell these people that South Africa is a safe country. Will the Government act to remove South Africa’s designation as safe and, in particular and most immediately, will someone from the Department of Justice agree to meet the people on hunger strike to bring this to an end?

We have a fair asylum system here and everyone’s asylum claim is assessed on its merit. I have been to South Africa myself. It is a vast country and there are different areas of it that one would consider safer than others. The designation of a safe country means that the applications are expedited. I encourage anyone on hunger strike – I do know there are people outside on hunger strike – to end it.

Their applications in Ireland will be processed, and processed fairly. Where anyone has any fear they are going to be persecuted on return to any country because of their race, gender or sexual orientation, that is absolutely taken into account. What we do not want as well is that people are doing their own health damage by that. I assume every one of those people has an asylum claim in, has been assigned a case worker and is engaging with the Department of Justice. I absolutely condemn any attacks they are experiencing. They should not happen. I assume An Garda Síochána is aware of it and we will raise that too. We will go through the normal channels. Where an applicant has made an asylum application, that will be processed, and processed fairly. I encourage those who are outside to trust in the system.

I thank the Minister.

I will just say this, a Cheann Comhairle. Reversing the designation from safe country is not going to process those claims. If anything, the claims will be in process for longer.