Your Politics podcast - Michael McDowell

"We've got to cop ourselves on", former Minister for Justice and current Senator Michael McDowell urges. Our toothless "theoretical response" to real immigration challenges means that "we don't deport people in any significant numbers", he tells host Áine Lawlor, along with Sandra Hurley and Paul Cunningham. This, he cautions, is "manna from Heaven" for right-wing extremists. Senator McDowell warns that the Irish system is the "least capable" of effectively assessing applications, and dismisses the so-called "whole of Government" approach, saying that it does not actually exist. "Consultation isn't the issue", he insists, when compulsory leases can be used to put rooves over heads. Subscribe to the podcast on Apple, Spotify and Google through the RTÉ Player, through Stitcher or download it here. Alternatively, listen to it on SoundCloud below. Keep up to date with all the latest Irish and international news and current affairs with http://www.rte.ie/news Follow us on twitter @rtenews and on Facebook   / rtenews