THE number of asylum seeking refugees arriving in Ireland has increased sharply this year, the Irish Refugee Council's report shows. So far 713 people have claimed political asylum this year, compared with 424 last year.
The council says the increase may be partly explained by the conflicts in Algeria, Gambia, Zaire and Angola and says the "Aeroflot flight stopover at Shannon Airport has resulted in a significant number of people seeking asylum from a wide variety of countries". It also cited "the increase in Ireland's profile in the international arena".
The recent Refugee Act was welcomed by all speakers at the council's annual general meeting at the weekend. Ms Deirdre Clancy, the council's legal officer, said "the liberal elements of the legislation have drawn a wealth of favourable comment throughout the world". One of the Act's few weaknesses was the prohibition on asylum seekers working, she said.
Legal aid was "vital for those seeking asylum" but the Government has yet to announce how it would be administered. The council's legal project serves 1,400 clients but is to end in December.
Ms Nadette Foley, the council's director, said Ireland's EU Presidency afforded "a unique opportunity to make an impact within the wider European asylum context".