Ireland had a strong legal and moral commitment to refugees, the Minister responsible for overseas development and human rights, Ms Liz O'Donnell, said yesterday. In the light of Tuesday's inaugural meeting in Ennis of an anti-immigration pressure group, the Immigration Control Platform, it was important to restate Ireland's position and to counter the danger of the growth of racism, she said.
Draft legislation will shortly be put before the Dail which, when approved, will facilitate an early ratification of the UN Convention against Torture and All Forms of Racial Discrimination, she said.
"Having special responsibility in this area I will be ensuring that the obligations we have under the 1951 Convention on Refugees and its 1967 Protocol will be met in full. New administrative arrangements and additional resources are being put in place, in full co-operation with the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, to deal with the backlog of asylum applications which has unfortunately built up."
She was surprised to see the Immigration Control Platform spokeswoman seemingly questioning the rights of citizens of other EU countries to seek employment in this country. They had a right to free movement and to engage in economic activities within the EU. "This organisation's spokesperson is, apparently advocating that we also revoke our commitment as members of the EU."
Meanwhile, the school where the anti-immigration campaigner, Ms Aine Ni Chonaill, teaches yesterday moved to distance itself from her controversial views and her establishment of the group.
The principal teacher of Clonakilty Sacred Heart Secondary School, Sister Eilis McGrath, said that she dissociated herself from the aims and objectives of Immigration Control Platform.
"These aims and objectives have no place in our school mission or ethos," said Sister Eilis in a statement issued after reporters called to the school to interview Ms Ni Chonaill.
The National Committee for European Year Against Racism condemned the attempt to establish the Immigration Control Platform. A statement said this was an organisation which appeared to be intent on raising racist and xenophobic opinion against refugees and asylum-seekers and EU nationals living in this country.
Mr Philip Watt, of the National Committee, said the media had a role in not providing the oxygen of publicity to such extreme organisations.
The Immigrant Control Platform was also condemned by the Platform Against Racism, a initiative of a number of non Governmental organisations, including the Irish Traveller Movement, the Association of Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Ireland and Pavee Point.