In opposition, Shatter was fiercely critical of direct provision for asylum seekers : Opinion: In government, however, he has radically changed his tune

The system for claiming asylum in Ireland is broken. Carl O'Brien's reports in The Irish Times over the last few weeks shine a light on simply one of the broken spokes within Ireland's asylum system: direct provision. Under
Irish law the State has a responsibility to investigate and determine
whether an individual falls into the legal category of refugee or has
any other legal claim for protection in this country. However, what
rights does this person, an asylum seeker, have while their claim is
being determined? If an asylum seeker is found to
be in need of protection a person will be granted extensive rights,
almost on par with rights enjoyed by citizens as regards a right to
work, right to become self-employed, right to travel in and out of this
State and a right to access social security.