Sir, - Further to Ann Moroney's letter (May 12th) regarding media coverage of the increasing number of asylum seekers in Ireland, I would like to state that I welcome the increased Gardai surveillance to stem the flow of illegal immigrants as long overdue.
I accept that this country has a responsibility towards genuine refugees - those with a well founded fear of persecution because of religious, ethnic, cultural differences etc. - and I believe that the general public would have no problem with Ireland accepting its "fair share" of refugees from around the world. However, I also accept that the State has the right/ responsibility to detect and prevent entry to this country of "economic refugees" - those coming here motivated mainly by a desire to better their economic circumstances.
Ireland could do more to help genuine refugees, but any country can only accept a limited number every year because of lack of resources etc. As I see it, "economic refugees" claiming political asylum are taking the place of those with a real fear of persecution, many of whom are penned up in refugee camps (in south east Asia in particular) with no hope of making it here to claim asylum.
On this point I feel refugee agencies have an obligation to expose bogus asylum seekers or risk losing the goodwill of the public towards those in desperate need. - Yours, etc.,
Thurles,
Co. Tipperary.