Migration pact implementation
Deputy McGrath urged a pause before implementing the EU migration and asylum pact and argued the public had not been properly heard. The Taoiseach insisted the law had been passed and signed, accused critics of misinformation, and said the legislation had already gone through all stages.
I am appealing to the Taoiseach with just a couple of days to go to enact the European Union migration and asylum pact. I tried for almost two years on the Business Committee to have a debate here. Deputy Carol Nolan and I, and our rural Independent colleagues, tabled a motion on 1 May 2024, a May Day call, which the Government voted down. I appeal to the Taoiseach to have a pause and try to listen to the people. I ask the Taoiseach to please give the people a voice here and do not be patronising like he was in reply to Deputy Paul Lawless. This vote was passed in summer 2024 by a margin of merely seven votes. That was before we had nearly 40 new TDs here.
We all condemn the savage attacks in Belfast and that have been ongoing in this country. The Government has turned a blind eye to it and tried to demonise people. Please put this to the people and let the people decide. Is the Taoiseach so frightened of the people that he will not do this?
Comment on this
This is parliamentary democracy. By 86 votes to 62, the International Protection Act 2015 was passed in this House. It has been signed by the President. Why are Members inventing and deliberately misinforming people? That is what is going on here. This law has been debated in this House at length.
Comment on this
It has been passed by this House. People have different perspectives, as they are entitled to. It has been passed, signed, and is coming into law. That is all. This is a new development where TDs are coming in to say that a matter was only won by this amount or that and we must have another debate, despite the fact that legislation went through all Stages. This is misinformation and let us call it out. All last week, there were emails going to everyone about how a terrible day was going to happen on Friday when legislation that was debated here at length was commenced. Legislation is commenced all of the time. That is all that is happening. By the way, it gives us control.