I know, but it is a big obligation and it comes at a big cost. I am entitled to try to - and the Oireachtas is entitled to say that we are going t -, shift the balance slightly towards the State on those scales. It is also the case that for family members who are already here it does not apply, and, obviously, it does not apply for an unaccompanied minor who is granted status here. I will deal with Deputy Carthy's point on the cost of IPAS. I agree with him. I want to reduce the amount of money the State is spendin…

If it is the case that people in the House are going to say that we should stick with the reception conditions directive and should provide accommodation, it necessarily means that we are going to have to spend money on accommodation. I am trying to get State accommodation to provide it. I am actively cutting down costs. I have cut down the numbers of people who have come to Ireland claiming asylum. As I said, in 2024 there were 18,500. In 2025, the number was 13,000. I want to seek to reduce it further.

I welcome the fact that I follow on from Independent Ireland to speak because I want to mention a group of Irish people -Irish men and women- that they never once mentioned. That is the men and women of An Garda Síochána-----

-----who stood by this State. I want to thank the gardaí who, over the past week showed outstanding professionalism, commitment and courage in guaranteeing the safety and security of the State and its citizens throughout the period of blockades of critical infrastructure. We all know in this House, on the Government's side, that in any liberal democracy the right to peaceful assembly, the right to express disagreement with the people who govern, is a central right. It is a right that all of us in this House support…

An Garda Síochána, which Member's opposite should appreciate, has a proud record and history of defending and securing the people or Ireland and their democratic institutions from harm against those who have tried to undermine them. They did so again on this occasion and that is to be commended by everyone in this House. I am, however, concerned about the unacceptable levels of hatred and vitriol directed at members of An Garda Síochána, sometimes in person, but mostly from faceless cowards on social media, the maj…

I have already spoken to the Commissioner about this and he has assured me that, where offences have been committed, prosecutions will follow. The work of this Government in the area of justice has just begun. It is vital that work continues. As such, I commend the motion of confidence before the House.

You should recognise and respect our Army. You respected another army for long enough.

I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "recognises: — the crucial role played by An Garda Síochána in ensuring the security of the State, protecting and serving communities across Ireland through the maintenance of law and order, and upholding the principles of justice; — the commencement of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, in April 2025, providing an extensive new framework for policing and community safety in Ireland, and the subsequent …

Amendment No. 1 is a technical amendment to add the phrase "the Child Care Act 1991" to the Title to the Bill. It arises on foot of the proposed amendment No. 274. Amendment No. 2 amends the Long Title to the Bill to reflect the amendment of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 and the Children First Act 2015 in amendments Nos. 278 and 279, respectively. Amendment No. 274 inserts the presumption of minority for unaccompanied minors into the Child Care Act 1991. This amendment provi…

I thank the Senator.

I thank Senators Boyhan and McCarthy for tabling this amendment and for their contributions. I similarly thank Senator Stephenson for her contribution. I will reply to them in the order in which they made their contributions. In the amendment tabled by Senators Boyhan and McCarthy, one can see that what they are looking for is that within 12 months of the passing of the Act, I will produce a report on the treatment of refugees and asylum seekers and, "The report shall analyse the effects of this Act and include det…

I thank the Senator for his contribution. It is important to point out that receiving appropriate legal counselling is a statutory requirement under the legislation. I have to provide that. I have to make sure that international protection applicants "are being treated humanely in detention in line with national law and the European Convention on Human Rights." The obligations that are set out in terms of the reception conditions and legal counselling are very detailed within the Bill. It sets out very considerable…

Yes.

I thank the Senators who tabled the amendments and all those who made contributions. I take my responsibility as Minister before both Houses extremely seriously. The way legislation is made in Ireland is that overwhelmingly it is advanced by Ministers who come before the Houses and listen to debates, and it is this House and the Dáil who make the laws. I have a significant responsibility in respect of it since I have the benefit of a Department and a Government majority behind me. Notwithstanding these advantages, …

The reason age assessment, no matter how it is conducted, is important is that if a person comes to Ireland and says they are 17 years of age, there is an obligation on the State, if their statement is true, to ensure the person is treated as a child, with all the benefits and protections that come with that under Irish legislation. The reason age assessments are necessary is that it would be a serious issue for child protection if an adult, say one of 20 years of age, were put into a residence reserved exclusively…

The purpose of these technical drafting amendments is to ensure consistency in the references in the Bill to the Data Protection Act 2018 and the general data protection regulation.

In fairness to the Senator, it is an accurate definition and description of the common travel area but since the term does not exist in the Bill at present, it does not make sense to include it. Obviously if Senator McDowell's subsequent amendments were accepted there would be a purpose to including it, but I regret to announce I will not be supporting those other amendments and so I have to oppose this amendment.

Amendments Nos. 8, 10, 73 and indeed 194 define the phrase "international protection guardian" for the purposes of section 2 and amend the Bill to reflect the phrasing inserted into the national vetting bureau Act and the Children First Act.

The main amendment in this grouping is amendment No. 271, which proposes the insertion of a new section 274 to provide for the sharing of information by relevant bodies. The purpose of the new section is to make clear provision for the sharing of information, including personal data, by public bodies for the purpose of carrying out functions under the Bill. Provision is made for necessary safeguards. Information may be shared under the new section only to the extent that it is necessary and proportionate and subjec…

I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach for reciting all those amendments. They are technical drafting amendments to correct cross-references and improve the clarity of the text.