Immigrants who have been in Ireland for more than five years should be allowed to stay, the Church of Ireland Archbishop of Dublin, Most Rev John Neill, has said.
In his New Year message he said "it is hoped that with the introduction of a new Immigration and Residence Bill in 2006 that serious consideration will be given not only to these young people who came to us from overseas, but also to the many adults and families that have been here for five years or more and should now be allowed to stay".
He continued that "the Irish Citizen Child Scheme in 2005 was a step in the right direction for families living in limbo, and one would hope for similar in 2006 for all those already here for a substantial period of time".
He estimates at about 250 the number of immigrants who would be allowed to stay under such an amnesty.
"Many of these people here for several years, who certainly now see this as their home, face into the new year with a deep sense of fear in relation to possible deportation. Among these are a small number of unaccompanied minors, most with little or nothing to which to return.
"Our thoughts go out to these teenagers who may have been here for three or four years assimilating to Irish society, gaining from our educational system, and now on reaching 18 facing into yet another upheaval, being forced to return to something from which they once fled."
He was also critical of "the fact that work permits are held by employers rather than by workers" as it "leaves another door open for the exploitation of those from overseas".
Speaking to The Irish Times last night, Archbishop Neill said his comments primarily concerned non-EU eastern Europeans and Africans in Ireland. There was also a large Indian community in Tallaght, some of whom were also affected by the current situation, he said.
Many had been through our education system. Some were highly qualified but they ended up being exploited by bad employers under the present work permits system, he said. There was "a sense of hopelessness" among some due to their situation, he said.
In his message he said "the beginning of the new year gives everybody an opportunity for a fresh start" and that "my prayer for 2006 for our country is that we will address with great urgency these issues among others which lead to despair and hopelessness".
On the same theme there has been a call for "a rights-based immigration policy" in this country. Writing an editorial in January's The Word magazine, Fr Finbarr Tracey said such an immigration policy in Ireland was "urgently needed" and should address "the unnecessary and undesirable restrictions the present system imposes on migrant workers and their families".
Criticising the response of the local Church where the issue is concerned as "very slow", he said "every Christian has a responsibility to respond to these challenges. Migrants are often victims of illegal recruitment and of short-term contracts providing poor working and living conditions. They often suffer abuse and work long hours without the benefits of medical care and social security."
The Church of Ireland primate, Archbishop Robin Eames, has said that "as a new year dawns hope and confidence must be key words for our whole community". In his new year message he added, "let us pray that fresh efforts to find stability in government and administration of this province (Northern Ireland) will make real progress in 2006". History would "not judge us kindly if we allow old animosities to dictate how we regard each other", he said.