7th November 2024

End Direct Provision Campaign is Gaining Momentum

Launched in July 2016, United Against Racism (UAR) End Direct Provision #EndDP Campaign is gaining momentum.

Following a successful launch of the campaign a motion drafted by United Against Racism has been circulated to TDs asking for support for a Dáil debate and the ending of the system.

So far the following TDs have added their names to the motion:

Brid Smith Dublin South-Central, Gino Kenny Dublin Mid-West, Mick Barry Cork North Central,  Paul Murphy Dublin South-West,  Richard Boyd Barrett Dún Laoghaire, Ruth Coppinger Dublin West, Thomas Pringle Donegal,  Joan Collins Dublin South-Central,  Tommy Broughan Dublin Bay North,  Aengus ÓSnodaigh Dublin South-Central, Brian Stanley Laois–Offaly, Caoimhghín ÓCaoláin Cavan–Monaghan,  Carol Nolan Offaly,  David Cullinane Waterford,  Denise Mitchell Dublin Bay North, Dessie Ellis Dublin North-West, Donnchadh ÓLaoghaire Cork South-Central, Eoin ÓBroin Dublin Mid-West,  Gerry Adams Louth,  Imelda Munster Louth,  John Brady Wicklow,  Jonathan O’Brien Cork North-Central, Kathleen Funchion Carlow–Kilkenny,  Louise O’Reilly Dublin Fingal,  Martin Ferris Kerry,  Martin Kenny Sligo–Leitrim,  Mary Lou McDonald Dublin Central,  Maurice Quinlivan Limerick City,  Pat Buckley Cork East,  Peadar Tóibín Meath West,  Pearse Doherty Donegal,  Seán Crowe Dublin South-West,  Seamus Healy Tipperary South, Catherine Connolly Galway West, Maureen O’Sullivan Dublin Central, Clare Daly Dublin North, Mick Wallace Wexford

The Motion is published in Dáil Éireann Notice of Motions: (Second item In the PDF)  https://www.oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?DocID=34482&CatID=139

Direct Provision is an unbelievably inhumane system. People who have suffered torture, discrimination, war and forced flight and having been torn away from their homes and family should be welcomed and treated with respect. Instead, they are bundled off into Direct Provision Centres, often run by private companies out to make a profit, and forcibly cut off from society.

The logic of this cruel regime is to deter others from coming to Ireland, as if seeking asylum were a life-style choice.

  • The application system is very long, complicated and difficult for people from another country to navigate.
  • It denies asylum seekers the right to work.
  • It denies asylum seekers access to third level education.
  • The threat of deportation makes people in Direct Provision fearful and insecure.
  • People cannot live on €19.10 weekly financial provision.

2014 saw asylum seekers in no less than nine centres rising up against their enforced imprisonment and being met by intimidating management methods. Inmates were forced to go on hunger strike in Athlone, Portlaoise and Mount Trenchard and to occupy centres in Cork and Waterford.

We cannot let this situation continue.

Direct Provision centres are proven to be extremely unsuitable for children to grow up in. The previous FG/Labour government had promised serious reforms to DPS and the asylum process but after long waiting this came to nothing. Direct provision reform is included in the current government’s programme.

The campaign has also received strong support from Trade Unions, various organisations, councillors, senators, MEPs, artists, musicians and academics

Pat Boran, Poet | Anthony Glavin, Writer |  Derek Ball, Composer |  Donal O’Kelly, Playwright & actor | Trevor Joyce, Poet |  John F. Deane, Poet |  Ian Wilson, Composer |  Philip Casey, Writer | Alice Maher, Visual artist |  Stephen Gardner, Composer |  Rita Ann Higgins, Poet |  Bernadette Kiely, Visual Artist |  Christine Clear, Writer |  Felim Egan, Visual Artist   Kate Thompson, Author | Eamon Scanlon TD |  John McGuinness TD |  Liadh Ní Riada MEP |  Lynn Boylan MEP | Matt Carthy MEP | Cllr Andrew Keegan |  Cllr Sarah Holland |  Cllr John Lyons |  Cllr Fiona Ryan |  Cllr Ciarán Cuffe |  Cllr Roderic O’Gorman |  Cllr Michael O’Brien |  Cllr Hazel De Nortúin |  Cllr Madeleine Johansson | Cllr Deirdre Wadding |  Cllr Melisa Halpin |  Cllr Tina MacVeigh |  Cllr Cian Prendiville |  Cllr Steven Matthews |  Cllr. Francis Noel Duffy |  Cllr. Éilis Ryan |  Sen. Colette Kelleher |  Sen. David Norris |  Sen. Gerard P Craughwell |  Sen. Joan Freeman |  Sen. John Dolan |  Sen. Paul Gavan

United Against Racism is running an online petition. Please sign the petition and show your support to End Direct Provision Campaign

FACEBOOK TWITTER WWW.UNITED-AGAINST-RACISM.NET |  INFO@UNITED-AGAINST-RACISM.NET | JOIN UNITED AGAINST RACISM

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