31 Mar 2015, 12:42
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for Equality, New Communities and Culture will appear before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions tomorrow to consider issues in Ireland’s Direct Provision System.
31 March 2015
The Committee is currently preparing a report on the Direct Provision System, having visited Centres in Galway, Foynes, Mosney and Clondalkin in recent months.
Chairman of the Committee Pádraig Mac Lochlainn TD says: “Having met with management, staff and residents of four Direct Provision Centres, the Committee are acutely aware of the difficulties being experienced by many within the current system. The quality of accommodation at the centres, the complaints process and, above all, the lengthy time spans in processing applications are of grave concern to the Committee. Minister Ó Riordáin has acknowledged the deficiencies in the current system so tomorrow’s meeting will be an opportunity to receive an update on resolving some of these problems.
“As part of the process, we are intent on examining how the jurisdiction of the Ombudsman can be fully inclusive of the Direct Provision System, including the Appeals System and the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service as it relates to the Direct Provision System. As a Committee with responsibility for public service oversight, we are also keen that Freedom of Information Acts be made fully applicable, in all respects, to the administration of the Direct Provision Centres. Tomorrow’s engagement with Minister Ó Riordáin will afford an opportunity to assess the current approach of the Department of Justice and Equality and help inform our upcoming Committee Report on Direct Provision.”
The meeting takes place tomorrow Wednesday 1 April in Committee Room 4, LH 2000 at 4 pm. It will be broadcast live on Oireachtas TV, accessible on UPC 207, Sky 574 and eVision 504 platforms.
Public proceedings can also be viewed online here.
Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.
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Committee Membership
Deputies:
Richard Boyd-Barrett, Independent
Noel Harrington, Fine Gael
Michael Healy-Rae, Independent
Seamus Kirk, Fianna Fáil
Michael P. Kitt, Fianna Fáil
Pádraig MacLochlainn (Chairman), Sinn Féin
Helen McEntee, Fine Gael
Michelle Mulherin, Fine Gael
Derek Nolan (Vice-Chair), Labour
Patrick O'Donovan, Fine Gael
Aengus Ó Snodaigh, Sinn Féin
Sean Kenny, Labour
John Halligan, Independent
Jack Wall, Labour
Senators:
Trevor Ó Clochartaigh, Sinn Féin
Jimmy Harte, Labour
Tony Mulcahy, Fine Gael
Susan O’Keeffe, Labour
Ned O'Sullivan, Fianna Fáil