Sir, - At a recent conference in UCC entitled "Asylum Seekers and Refugees - Fostering Regional Partnerships", the Minister for Justice, John O'Donoghue, certainly appeared to be in good form. Full of smiles, informing his cross-discipline audience of all the wonderful things his Government was doing about the present "crisis".
After gracing us with 15 minutes of his presence, both he and his entourage were gone - apparently too busy to await hearing the reality of the situation.
Two keynote speakers followed, both full of positive ideas and enthusiasm, seeing the current situation as an "opportunity" as opposed to a "problem". But in the course of the day, one became increasingly aware of just how traumatised asylum seekers are - the vast majority fleeing horrendous situations in their native land.
In the light of this, policies such as detention centres, direct dispersal and deportations would appear to be draconian and indeed an anathema to any human being.
The current negative attitude in the country is a direct result of words and actions coming from members of the present Government - so much so that perhaps it is time to offer Ministers who hold portfolios that have the potential to affect so many vulnerable people a psychological assessment, in an effort to sort out existing prejudices (should there be any!) prior to taking up office. Perhaps then we could be assured of positive leadership, involving clear thinking and forward planning - free from the current bouts of hysteria, to which we have become so familiar and indeed immune.
Where market forces are concerned the concept of globalisation seems to be welcomed. However, any ideas of true interculturalism involving all creeds and races - well now, that's another thing altogether. That might require a real shift in thinking, and maybe even a redefining of what it means to be Irish. - Yours, etc.,
Mary Donohoe, Merlyn Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4.