Can I put on the record of the Dáil that I have sent an email to the leaders of all political parties to ask them to sign a Bill that would look for voting rights for Irish citizens in the North of Ireland? It is an issue bigger than any political party and we should not put party first in relation to it.

We received a parliamentary reply showing Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Ministers have quashed or overturned 4,000 deportation orders in the past ten years. The number of deportation orders quashed or overturned is a multiple of those enforced. Most want a fair system but a strict one nonetheless. We currently have a system where people can apply for asylum and it can take many years for a decision to be made. They can appeal that and it can take some time for the appeal to be made. They can then take a judicial review, which can take some time. On certain occasions, they can go back into the asylum process even after that judicial review. Most deportation orders issued are not enforced. It is a voluntary system. We have no checks at airports to see if they are leaving the country or not. Even after that whole process, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Ministers have overturned 4,000 deportation orders. That is incredible, given the cost just to process those deportation orders.

The Deputy said it was over a ten-year period.

Yes, a ten-year period.

When he said they were overturned or quashed, I would have to interrogate his language in terms of how he defines words like "quashed" and "overturned". The Minister is bringing in legislation to deal with all of this but there was a time ten years ago when a Deputy like Deputy Tóibín - maybe not Deputy Tóibín himself - would stand up in this House and make an appeal to the Minister of the day not to have somebody deported. There were front-page headlines in various newspapers, including regional newspapers across the country, where campaigns had been mounted: "Please don't deport family X. They have been in school here for five or six years. They have lived in society. They are valued members. Please don't deport." Around 2020, post Covid, when the levels of those seeking asylum increased fivefold, the entire mood of the nation changed. Now people are saying "Deport, deport, deport, as quickly as you possibly can." I say that by way of illustration.

There are 140 that have been quashed this year so far.

Deputy Tóibín, please.

Opinions have changed and I understand why. I am just making the point we can put ten years together and try to-----

It is 140 this year.

I understand what your narrative will be. I understand what the soundbite on social media will be. You are trying to create a story around certain parties doing X while you are doing Y. The bottom line is society was in a particular place ten years ago on this and is in a totally different position right now. Circumstances have changed-----

The actions have not changed from the Government.

------wars have happened, conflicts have happened. We need a bit more honesty and sensitivity in what we are doing.

Okay, we move on to-----

In terms of people who are not entitled to seek asylum here, the Minister has effected deportations. A lot do leave. The gardaí tell us they leave the jurisdiction and are not availing of any resources.

Thank you, Taoiseach.

Four hundred and sixteen were quashed last year and 500 the year before.

I call Deputy Hearne, please.