Signing up to the EU asylum and migration pact is not in Ireland's interest. What the Government is essentially doing is handing over control of decisions on migration to the European Union. Sinn Féin has always been of the opinion that Ireland, not Europe, should be the one that makes decisions on these important issues. That is why we oppose the majority of measures in this pact. The reality is that our asylum and international protection system has been a complete and utter mess for decades. We have seen families left waiting in limbo for years for their applications to be processed. This is totally unfair, especially on children. We need a fair system in which rules are applied equally and those applying for asylum and local communities are treated with respect. To address our IPAS system, I represent Dublin Bay North where the former Crown Paints site in Coolock was to be used for IPAS accommodation. Coolock is an area that has been ignored by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael governments for decades. An abandoned paint factory in a community abandoned by Government is not a suitable place for an IPAS centre. The only reason it was considered was that private interests saw an opportunity to make a quick profit out of it. The planning exemption for IPAS centres needs to be ended and we need to see proper engagement with our communities. As a TD for the area, I can tell the Minister that trying to get answers from the Department on what was happening with Crown Paints was like trying to get blood out of a stone. There was one meeting of elected representatives at which many concerns were raised. There were promises of more meetings but those meetings never happened. If we, as local representatives, were frustrated trying to get answers, just imagine how that wider community felt. My party president, Deputy Mary Lou McDonald, met residents' groups, community groups and local clubs on the situation. She addressed the then Taoiseach and called for respectful dialogue and engagement with our community. That did not happen. The community of Coolock is getting on with it now but this Government needs to learn lessons from how the situation in Coolock was handled. We need a proper strategy for the location of these centres and for the integration of those who seek refuge here. We need to end the ability of private companies to make millions in profits off the back of Ireland’s shambles of an asylum system.

Sentiment score: 0.08