Direct provision legislation
Senator Heffernan seconds the amendment and criticises the rushed legislative process, then argues that the direct provision proposals should be withdrawn and reconsidered; other Senators dispute his assessment.
I second the amendment as proposed by Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh. It is ridiculous the way this House is being treated and has been treated year on year as we come to a break, with this type of legislation being rammed through so that we have to sit here until all hours of the day and night. It is not on. It is time this Chamber stood up for itself. I would gladly support that amendment.
I was interested to hear Senator Ivana Bacik, who has a sincere interest in the area of direct provision, state that the system of direct provision, as it stands, is untenable. That is why we should not take the International Protection Bill at all.
Comment on this
Withdraw it and go back to the drawing board with it. Doras Luimní and all of the immigrant rights bodies are not happy with it. They all have an issue with it.
Comment on this
All of the groups welcomed the introduction of a single unified procedure.
Comment on this
It is the only small element they welcome.