Sir, - What on earth is going on in regard to the illegal Cuban immigrants referred to in your reports of October 23rd and 24th? Although their applications for asylum have been refused, it appears that Ms Joan Burton, Minister of State at the Department of Justice, and other "Department of Justice sources" are coaching them on a course of action which will lead to their being allowed to remain in this country, whatever the merits of their cases.
On October 23rd you reported that "Department of Justice sources" had said that even if the Cubans appeals were rejected, the Minister for Justice would give "careful and sympathetic consideration" to a request to remain on "humanitarian grounds". On October 24th you reported that departmental sources said that even if the Cubans' appeals through normal channels were unsuccessful, they "will definitely be given leave to stay on humanitarian grounds if the present Government is still in office after the appeal ruling". It would appear that the outcome of the "careful and sympathetic consideration" by the Minister for Justice is known in advance!
Who are these "sources" who can predict the outcome of appeals not yet formulated? And why does this apply only to the period of office of the present Government? Do the merits of cases vary depending on who is considering them? If so, what makes the difference? Are there no objective criteria by which applications on humanitarian grounds are assessed?
This is the second (public) intervention in an immigration case by Ms Joan Burton in recent times, both of a kind which can only undermine the position of the officials trying to apply the law. Why would they bother from now on? Is it surprising that there is a big increase in illegal immigration? What on earth is going on? Yours, etc.,
Upper Kilmacud Road, Stillorgan, Co. Dublin.