THERE appeared to be an attempt by Department of Justice officials to smear Mr Madani Haouanoh, the Algerian who was recently deported from this State 7 Mr David Norris (Ind) alleged in the Seanad.
Mr Norris asked the Seanad leader, Mr Maurice Manning, to invite the Minister for Justice, Mrs Owen, to come to the House to explain the operation of the legislation on refugees in the light of recent cases which had caused concern to senators who had contributed to the debate when the Bill was under consideration.
Mr Norris said he was referring in particular to the case of Mr Haouanoh, who had been excluded from this State in very peculiar circumstances, about which there appeared to be conflicting evidence from journalists and the Minister. There seemed to be an attempt on the part of Department officials to smear this man.
It had been leaked to the newspapers that his marriage ceremony had been performed by Father Pat Buckley. It was a perfectly legitimate marriage, Mr Norris added. It was very odd that the Department would seek to release this kind of information.
Mr Norris also called for an explanation for the moves to deny refugee status to 150 Cubans, by the use of the phrase that they had not shown a well founded fear of persecution.
"I raise that because a number of us discussed that very point at considerable length when the Bill was going through. We were given certain assurances. In the light of these cases it appears those assurances were not quite as water tight as the Minister assumed.
Mr Manning said he understood the refugee legislation had yet to be implemented. He would get information on this for senators.
THE sole Democratic Left member of the Seanad, Mr Joe Sherlock, was absent last night for a vote on a proposed amendment to the Divorce Bill, which the Government won on the casting vote of the Cathaoirleach, Mr Liam Naughten.
The Government Chief Whip, Mr Liam Cosgrave, later said he would be seeking an explanation from Mr Sherlock.
The voting was tied at 26-26 on an Opposition motion which would have required divorcing couples to ensure that their offspring got an adequate education.
Mr Naughten then tipped the balance in favour of the Government.
The Divorce Bill was passed by the Senate last night. But an amendment to the measure means that it must go back to the Dail for the final passage.
The Minister for Equality and Law Reform, Mr Taylor, accepted an amendment from Ms Marian McGennis (FF) that groups qualified to assist in reconciliation be officially specified.
At the conclusion of the debate Mr Michael O'Kennedy (FF) argued that the legislation would spell the end of the family as it was currently understood in this State.
Accepting that the Bill's passage in the Seanad was not a cause for celebration, the House leader, Mr Maurice Manning, said divorce was always traumatic. But in many instances it was the only way out of great difficulty for couples. The Bill did not represent the last word on the issue.
There would be a need for changes in the legislation as the years went by. He did not share the Cassandra like vision of Mr O'Kennedy. Only time would tell which of them was right.
Mr Manning said he felt that when the new regime was in place people would not notice any huge changes from what had already been in existence. A great many of our citizens would be in a position to regulate their lives and those of their children in an orderly way.
THE German embassy was criticised for its attitude to the death of a German national who was found drowned in Kilkenny at the weekend. Mr Michael Lanigan (FE) urged House leader, Mr Maurice Manning, to convey to the relevant minister - for Justice or for Foreign Affairs - the great horror and concern felt in the south east and especially in Kilkenny over the death of this man.
The attitude of officials of the German embassy was horrific, to say the least, he added. They would not issue any details as to where the victim had come from.
"They crept under the Data Protection Act of their country to say they could not give out any details. I would like to convey to the embassy that it is not a good enough excuse to say that no member of staff could attend the funeral in Kilkenny because they were too busy with the Irish Presidency.