The Government has been severely criticised by a UN agency for its crackdown on immigrants arriving illegally through the UK. The United Nations High Commission for Refugees has called for the suspension of immigration curbs introduced by the last Minister for Justice, Mrs Nora Owen.
However, her successor, Mr O'Donoghue, yesterday signalled that the new hardline approach by the Government would continue. More than 300 illegal immigrants had been expelled since the curbs were introduced a month ago, he said.
Mr O'Donoghue said he was "very concerned" at the level of unlawful entry to the State. The figures indicated the extent to which illegal immigration had become a "major problem".
The UNHCR representative for Ireland, Mr Bernard Lavanchy, last month queried whether the Order introducing the curbs was in accord with international treaties for the treatment of refugees, as well as the Refugee Act, which was passed by the Oireachtas last year but has not been implemented.
The Irish Times has learned that Mr Lavanchy also sought the suspension of the controversial provisions, which have been criticised by human rights groups.
Asked about the UNHCR's concerns, a spokesman for Mr O'Donoghue said the Minister's position was that the curbs were in place and would remain in place. The issues of illegal immigration and the treatment of refugees were entirely separate. Illegal immigrants had no entitlement to the same protection as refugees.
Under the Aliens Order introduced by Ms Owen on her last day in office, people from non-EU countries who enter Ireland from the UK can be sent back if their papers are not in order.
As there were no immigration checks between Ireland and Britain before this, the Order essentially ends the free travel area between the two countries.
Since June, immigration officers have been assigned to the ports to check on illegal immigration. Human rights groups say the measure is racist, as non-white travellers are more likely to be singled out.
