Asylum policy ``a total travesty''
The Dublin government's policy on asylum and immigration is a ``total
travesty''. This is the description of lawyer Peter Finlay SC, one of
the government's own appointees to the Independent Appeals Authority,
and it was cited by Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin in the Dáil last
week.
The Sinn Féin deputy was speaking on the Illegal Immigrants
(Trafficking) Bill. He said:
``If we had a coherent government policy on asylum with equitable
treatment for asylum-seekers, sound legislation, fair practice and
adequate resources, if we had a proper immigration policy which
recognises the rights of economic migrants and the labour needs of
the Irish economy - if we had these things in place then this Bill
could be considered as an element in an overall framework.
``We could then examine the issue of illegal trafficking separately and
distinctly. But we have none of these things. Instead we have a
patchwork of reactive legislation. We have a Refugee Act which is
still not being fully implemented. We have an Immigration Bill which
is really a Deportation Bill. We have the scandalous situation at the
Refugee Application Centre on Lower Mount Street. We have an
undercurrent of racism against asylum-seekers and immigrants in our
society which has been encouraged by the comments of some government
deputies. We have a work permit system which is unworkable. We have
proposals to finger-print asylum-seekers over 14. And we have
proposals to introduce a demeaning voucher system for asylum-seekers.
``What we have in summary is `a total and complete travesty'. Those are
not my words. They are the words of Peter Finlay SC, one of five
Government-appointed lawyers in the Independent Appeals Authority.
``None of this negates my support for the basic principle underlying
the Illegal Immigrants (Trafficking) Bill. The exploitation of
vulnerable people by unscrupulous traffickers in human misery is
contemptible and needs to be stamped out. The Minister has the
unanimous support of the House on that score. This Bill is supposed to
address the problem. However the Bill, because of its provisions and
because of the context in which it comes before the House is deeply
problematic. I cannot therefore give it my support as it stands.
``There are many unanswered questions in the Bill and in the Minister's
speech. Do we have any idea of the true extent of trafficking? It is
far from clear how this Bill, if enacted, will be enforced. It would
seem that the traffickers are outside the jurisdiction and it is
difficult to see how they will be amenable to the new law. Legitimate
concerns have also been raised as to the possible use of these new
powers against people who legitimately assist those fleeing
persecution in other lands. Will it be used against people who seek to
bring in other family members?
``This Bill needs to be reworked. It needs to be brought back to the
House together with legislation based on a fair and just immigration
policy which will allow people, in numbers which can be determined, to
come to this State to work. We need the full implementation of the
Refugee Bill. We need to see an end to deportations and an amnesty for
those asylum-seekers presently in the State. Until we have this just
framework of policy and legislation I must withhold support for this
Bill.''
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