Over the past number of years, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have failed to effectively manage the international protection system. We have seen decisions and appeals taking too long, profiteering from IPAS accommodation providers and a wider loss of confidence from the public that the Government can manage the system. Through this International Protection Bill today, we see that the Government's new strategy on migration is to hand powers over to the EU in the hope that it can avoid blame for its own failures. For an international protection system to work, the public must have confidence that the rules of the system are followed and enforced. This includes all stages in how applications are processed, in granting leave to remain where the case for asylum has been proven, and in enforcing deportations where that is the outcome of the process. Sinn Féin has been clear that migration must be managed in the best interests of the people of Ireland, taking into account our needs in terms of workers for key sectors such as health, capacity of public services and a humanitarian response to those fleeing war and persecution. The Government's decision to sign up to all aspects of the EU asylum and migration pact is not the way to fix the international protection system, nor is it in Ireland's best interest. This sentiment was also reflected in the report from the justice committee's pre-legislative scrutiny of the International Protection Bill. This report recommended that the Government reconsider opting out of the majority of the EU migration and asylum pact. Officials from the Minister's Department acknowledged that they were unsure how much the State will be liable to pay in infringement proceedings for our inability to meet the requirements of the pact. Even the Minister has indicated that a number of amendments will need to be brought forward by him on Committee Stage on many critical aspects of this Bill. It is the case that the Government has decided to plough on with a deeply flawed Bill that will need wholesale changes. This approach is reflective of the wider mismanagement of the international protection system. For example, last year we saw the Comptroller and Auditor General's review into IPAS providers set out the staggering profiteering and cost over-runs that are taking place within the IPAS system. The report outlined evidence of private operators overcharging for the provision of accommodation, including companies charging for beds that were not provided and charging VAT in circumstances where accommodation is exempt from VAT. The focus of the Government should be on ending this abuse of taxpayers' money and getting our own house in order rather than binding ourselves to EU regulations in this area that will make us liable to EU infringement proceedings. There are clear flaws within the International Protection Bill. Many Members across this Chamber have outlined these flaws, yet the Minister continues to push this Bill through. The Government had the option to only enter the aspects of the EU migration pact which made sense for Ireland. However, it has instead decided to sign up to the full pact, against the recommendations of the justice committee. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have failed for many years to bring order to our international protection system. I fear that this will continue to be the case for the years ahead.

Sentiment score: 0.05