International protection reforms
Ivana Bacik criticised new Government measures on asylum and migration as deterrence theatre that stigmatized vulnerable people and was not supported by evidence. The Taoiseach defended the forthcoming legislation as a robust and efficient framework for handling applications.
Today, the Cabinet met regarding the Government's latest performance of deterrence theatre, the new proposals designed to look tough while making life harder for international protection applicants and refugees. The Tánaiste has doubled down, framing these changes as prudent but, in reality, it is posturing. The Labour Party is concerned about this. It is very regrettable because members of the Government have chosen to publicly link vulnerable people to homelessness, which is plainly not supported by evidence and is disputed by those responsible for homelessness services, such as the Dublin Region Homeless Executive. Instead of owning its failures in housing policy, it seems the Government is punching down on migrants, refugees and people leaving direct provision. This is not leadership; it is deflection. These new proposals the Government is making to tighten up family reunification are going to be very harmful and hurtful for people who have been through the system and have been granted refugee status. It is deeply regrettable and I ask the Taoiseach to reconsider these proposals and stop shifting blame for his Government's policies.
Comment on this
I disagree fundamentally with what the Deputy is saying. The new Act, which will be the most comprehensive Act in relation to asylum and immigration ever enacted in the history of the State, is important legislation that will offer a robust, procedurally efficient and effective framework for dealing with asylum applications. The majority of asylum applications are rejected. It is up to 67% after appeal and it can be close to 80% of applications, on first instance. Clearly, there are a lot of people applying for asylum who do not qualify and have in many cases no prospect of qualifying. It makes sense, therefore, that we have an efficient system from a timeline perspective, so that people are not waiting for years for the outcomes of their applications. Essentially, this Act will put in place a far more efficient and effective framework for dealing with asylum seekers in the country. That is a good thing. Every country has a system-----