TD meets asylum seekers
Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghín O Caoláin met representatives of the
Association of Nigerian Asylum-Seekers in Ireland in Kildare
House on 20 May. They discussed the plight of those fleeing from
the military regime in Nigeria and seeking sanctuary in Ireland.
The Sinn Féin TD expressed concern at the plans of the Minister
for Justice, Equality and Law Reform John OÕDonoghue as outlined
in reply to a parliamentary question last week.
OÕDonoghue ruled out any amnesty for asylum seekers in the
country at present and has signalled much tighter restrictions on
those seeking asylum. It seems that the measures, which will
require new legislation, would amount to a scrapping of the
Refugee Act which has never been implemented and which would have
offered greater protections of rights for those applying for
refugee status.
