Fine Gael is scraping the bottom of the barrel with this proposal
Taoiseach Simon Harris must clarify if Fine Gael is proposing the introduction of detention centres for international protection applicants in the party’s general election manifesto, according to Social Democrats integration spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore.
“Fine Gael’s manifesto states that it is committed to implementing the EU Migration and Asylum Pact.
“It then clarifies that this will mean the introduction of “designated accommodation with restricted freedom of movement” and that “applicants will be provided with accommodation that limits their movement to ensure the integrity of the process”.
“This is an outrageous proposal. The Social Democrats opposed the EU Migration Pact precisely because we had multiple human rights concerns about the legislation, including that it would lead to asylum applicants being held in detention. These fears were rubbished by the government at the time.
“For example, in one Dáil debate on the issue outgoing Justice Minister Helen McEntee said: “I cannot be any clearer. We are not talking about putting people in detention centres.”
“Now, Fine Gael’s manifesto makes clear that it does plan for detention centres, or de facto detention centres, being established for people who have not committed any crime and are simply exercising a legal right to apply for international protection.
“Simon Harris must now make clear. Does his dog-whistling on this issue extend to advocating for detention centres for asylum applicants or limiting their freedom of movement?
“The outgoing Taoiseach must also clarify in what way Fine Gael wants to restrict the movement of international protection applicants and how that would be enforced?
“Fine Gael is scraping the bottom of the barrel with this proposal, which is at complete odds with the assurances the party gave during the EU Migration Pact debate.”