This Bill is designed to legislate for Ireland’s decision to sign up to the EU migration and asylum pact. We all know every country requires a functioning international protection system that is rules-based, fair, efficient and enforced. We are all very aware of the problems in the international protection system in Ireland, and the EU migration pact does nothing to support or take into account Ireland’s unique position as an EU member state that is part of the common travel area with a state outside of the EU. Communities are up in arms when it comes to the lack of information on where an IPAS centre is going to be located. The Government’s community engagement team allows misinformation, disinformation and concerns to grow within good communities. The Government gave a welcome commitment not to use the only hotel in a town. When these hotels are used for accommodation, it takes away local employment. These hotels are the only available accommodation in areas, which makes them important for local tourism in communities, as they support local restaurants, factories which have investors visiting, small shops and businesses. I welcome the previous commitment given to not use the only hotel in Oldcastle, a commitment I got on a number of occasions from the Minister and his Department. I thank him for his engagement on that. I understand that implementing the comprehensive accommodation strategy for international protection applicants is ongoing. However, loopholes that the Government and IPAS accommodation providers may use need to be looked at to protect the only hotel in towns and villages across Ireland. When loopholes are used, it creates uncertainty in communities. IPAS accommodation providers are making millions off the State by using these loopholes. Section 5 has been used to seek planning exemption for IPAS accommodation. These planning exemptions should be scrapped. Instead, there should be maximum engagement with communities to stop misinformation and fear being spread in good communities with good people. Sinn Féin has been clear from the outset that signing up to the EU asylum and migration pact is not in Ireland’s interest. This move undermines Ireland’s sovereignty and hands over more power to the EU to make unsustainable decisions for Ireland. Offers of accommodation should not be decided without consultation with communities and elected representatives and in areas with no services, GPs, school places, etc. Very often we see the concerns of communities disregarded and that should not be the case. Massive profiteering continues and the decision by Government to sign up to the EU migration and asylum pact in its entirety is a mistake. Our position in Sinn Féin is clear. We recognise the contributions of many who come here but also recognise the challenges that communities face with public services and housing. Very good points were raised by our Sinn Féin Deputies during the pre-legislative scrutiny of this Bill. Profiteering in the provision of accommodation must be ended. Accommodation providers have abused the system in place. They have proceeded with works on sites without relevant permissions and contracts, leading to local authorities having to put huge resources into enforcement proceedings, which is often hindered as they are getting conflicting information from the potential accommodation provider and Government Departments. I cannot understand why the Government is so determined to sign up to the pact and then face fines for not meeting targets that we all know it is going to miss, as the target set out by the EU in the pact are unsustainable. If the Government plans to move towards State-led accommodation, this Bill in its current format will put a strain on Ireland’s capabilities to do that.

Sentiment score: 0.10