Bríd speaks on ‘reforms’ for refugees and assylum seekers, Dáil 23.1.18

Imagine what it’s like to have to leave your home to avoid war, persecution or grinding poverty. You risk your life getting to safety; many of those with you are drowned, or captured and enslaved. Then you reach the ‘free world’ of the EU and you’re banged up in a detention centre for years, no work, no study, no life. Finally the day comes and your host country – Ireland – says ‘ok you can work, but in a very limited number of jobs, if you pay us €1000 first’. Minister Flanagan – you shame us with this ‘reform’ for assylum seekers.