Mary Lou McDonald has announced that “a Sinn Fein-led government would establish a new Immigration Management Agency to deliver a fairer system that works.”

Ms McDonald was speaking in Dublin as she outlined her party’s plan to manage immigration.

She said the new agency would operate under a new Department of Justice and Home Affairs to ensure cohesion in planning, sharing of information and speedy decision making. It will have responsibility for processing applications, enforcement of rules, registration, and accommodation.

The Sinn Féin leader said:

“The current system doesn’t work for anybody. We have chaotic management with different bodies and government departments acting independently of one another in an under-resourced system.

“There is little to no engagement with local communities. The location of centres is set by a small number of individuals who have become multi-millionaires on the back of human misery. There has been a complete failure to put in place the resources that are needed and were promised in communities where centres are located.

“We need a common-sense approach. We would not put new IPAS centres in working class communities already under severe pressure and would only be put in more affluent areas which have the capacity and where the services exist to support them.

“Today, we are announcing that a Sinn Féin-led government would establish a new dedicated Immigration Management Agency. The agency would operate under a new Department of Justice and Home Affairs to ensure cohesion in planning, sharing of information and speedy decision making. It will have responsibility for processing applications, enforcement of rules, registration, and accommodation.

“We would increase staff and properly resource the new agency to ensure it is equipped to fulfil its tasks.

“The Department of Integration would continue to have responsibility for supporting IP applicants who receive asylum status so that they can integrate fully into society and work closely with communities to ensure services and resources are provided.

“The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment would continue to process employment permits as normal for the many workers who are playing a valuable role in our economy, including in our health services and in our Tech sector.”

Ms McDonald said a Sinn Féin-led government would ensure a fair system that works.

She said:

“This is about creating a system that works well, works quickly, where rules are enforced.

“Our plan would safeguard the cohesion of society for all who call Ireland home, ensure fairness for local communities, decency and compassion for those fleeing persecution, and that also commands public support.

“It is based on core values which underpin our approach – equality, economic and social justice, sovereignty and anti-racism.

“It is an approach that understands the needs of society, the economy, our public services, and our housing capacity and which understands that every state must control its own borders.”

Sinn Féin’s document, Fixing A Broken system, can be read here.