Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The accelerated procedure also has an appeals system and to date, approximately 80% of those appeals have been upheld. It is important that the system works for those who need it. If we have people who are economic migrants, as has been the case for a number of people in recent years, there are legal routes and pathways. Parallel to the pact, work is happening whereby we, as a European Union, are working with third countries to identify how we can support them not just in respect of their economies to ensure fewer people want to leave but also looking at critical skills pathways and ensuring we have greater legal routes for people to come here. Without knowing what any of the 161 organisations have said directly, there is nothing here which prevents a person from seeking protection. There is nothing which prevents them from exercising their right to seek protection. What we are saying is that we will do it in a more efficient and effective way, which can only benefit those who are genuine in this instance.