Sir, - I wish to strongly endorse the call by Fine Gael and Democratic Left for an amnesty to allow asylum seekers to stay in Ireland (The Irish Times, January 26th). Mr Jim Higgins, Fine Gael spokesperson on justice, is quite correct in his criticism of the present Government's failure to implement the Refugee Act, making Ireland the only EU country not to have done so.
It is small wonder, therefore, that there is such a large backlog of cases waiting to be attended to. The Morrison visa-type suggestion would doubtless provide a remedy. It is to be hoped that any private member's bill introduced in this Dail will command widespread support among deputies. The Government would be best advised to listen to elected representatives rather than to unelected groups with an axe to grind against refugees. - Yours, etc., V. F. McKeever,
Churchtown, Dublin 14.