Sir, - It is now known that the Immigration Bill is due before the Oireachtas this summer. This piece of legislation makes a total mockery of this country's long-held and proud claim to be "Ireland of the Welcomes".
Not only does it not welcome immigrants but it discriminates against those who have managed to reach our shores with the hope of finding sanctuary and a better future for themselves. It seeks to use every means to deport the vast majority of immigrants from Ireland. To call this bill an Immigration Bill is not just a misnomer but an insult. It ought to be called the Deportation Bill, because that is what it is.
Ireland has had plenty of opportunities to show international leadership by offering refuge to those seeking it. The all-party agreement to the Refugee Act 1996 suggested that one step in the right direction had been taken. However, the U-turn by the present Government on implementing meaningful structures to allow immigrants come to Ireland, to work in Ireland and to stay in Ireland represents a catalogue of missed opportunities. Talk about caring for Kosovar Albanian refugees rings very hollow in such a climate.
But democracy, through the will of the people, does not have to respond to such a crass insult by lying down. We must protest with vigour that the plan the Government wants to adopt in our name does not reflect the kind of values we espouse.
On its own terms, every section of this proposed Immigration Bill should be opposed and contested. The overall tone is discriminatory; it gives unfettered and draconian powers to the Minister to deport people; there is no facility to appeal to an independent body; it does not provide adequate access to legal advice; it has no appreciation of individual circumstances; and it does not uphold the established principle of presumption of innocence.
In the short term, we must oppose this Deportation Bill and encourage others to do likewise. In the long term, we must continue to pressure government and society to uphold the rights of immigrants coming to, working in and remaining in Ireland. - Yours, etc.,
Brendan Hennessy, Fachtna O'Driscoll, SMA, Glasheen Road, Cork.