The use of so-called "flotels" to house asylum-seekers smacked very much of what had happened after the Napoleonic wars when battleships were used to detain people and were berthed around the Irish and British coasts until the detainees were transported elsewhere, said Mr Joe Costello (Lab).
Calling for clarification of the Government policy on asylum-seekers, he said the Taoiseach seemed to have one set of proposals, while his Coalition partners seemed to have another.
He wondered what the connection was between various forms of holding those seeking asylum and the statement by the Tanaiste that 200,000 people must be recruited to provide a workforce in this country. We did not seem to be able to get to grips with the issue of whether asylum-seekers would be given the right to work.
Mr Liam Cosgrave (FG), leas Cathaoirleach, said there seemed to be several policies within the Government and its component parts.
It was crucial that the Government clarify exactly where it stood on this matter.