There are a number of "glaring and fundamental gaps and defects" in the Immigration Bill, the Dail was told. Labour's deputy leader, Mr Brendan Howlin, said the Bill, which deals with the principles and procedures to be followed in the deportation of immigrants, apparently allowed for deportation the morning after an order had been served.
It also "does not specify that a deportation order should not be made against an asylum-seeker whose case has not yet been considered or completed".
However, Ms Mary Hanafin (FF, Dun Laoghaire) said the Bill focused on the most negative aspect of Ireland's immigration policy and needed to be seen in the context of other developments.
She said legislation would be brought forward soon to enable the 1996 Refugee Act to become operational, as well as legislation "to outlaw the appalling crime of trafficking and a major Bill to replace the Aliens Act, 1935".
On the second day of debate on the Bill, Ms Hanafin said that in the "overall context" she welcomed the Bill. It "sets out the humanitarian and personal considerations to be taken into account when seeking leave to appeal" a deportation order.
Mr Caoimhghin O Caolain (SF, Cavan-Monaghan) said the Government was not racist "but its harsh attitude to asylum-seekers and its refusal to implement the Refugee Act have sent the wrong signals to those in society who are all too eager to foster and exploit xenophobia".
