Sir, – In his analysis of the current immigration situation, and its vulnerability to political exploitation, Michael McDowell neglects to mention what will be the main driver of migration going forward, namely climate change (“We must face up to asylum issues or play into hands of xenophobic extremists”, Opinion & Analysis, December 28th).
International laws governing migration are not ready to accept the fact that millions will be forced from their homelands by drought, extreme weather, fires and climate conflict. Ireland, with its relatively temperate climate, and northern Europe, will be draws for such migration and we are ill-prepared for its eventuality.
A reality check is needed globally: millions will be forced to migrate in order to survive the ravages of the climate crisis.
Dealing with this, and the political challenges it brings, is as much an existential threat as the changing climate itself.
Approaching it humanely is our only option. – Yours, etc,
BARRY WALSH,
Blackrock,
Cork.
Sir, – Ireland is lucky to have Michael McDowell among its public intellectuals. He is genuinely committed to the good of the country.
However, in relation to the international asylum system he is, like everyone in public life, in denial.
He grasps desperately for some changes to the system to stop us being overwhelmed, such as “Destruction of air travel/identity documents must become a negative for applicants”. I can tell him with confidence where that will get us. The courts will say, “Destruction of documents is to stymie possible deportation later; it has no evidential value as to the merit of the asylum case put forward.”
As he acknowledges: “Developed countries find it immensely difficult to deal with the volume of asylum-seeking arrivals”. The Irish are going to find the magic formula? I don’t think so.
As his potted history of the 1951 Geneva Convention shows, the asylum system was never foreseen as operating in today’s world. It is institutional insanity. Like all such conventions it has an opt-out clause operable on 12 months’ notice. That is what we signed up to and that clause should be implemented by any sane country.
Unfortunately for us, in the Lisbon Treaty we were deprived of that right because it made the Charter of Fundamental Rights justiciable. Britain may be suffering much on foot of Brexit, but she has retained that right and with the growth of asylum claims, particularly from “climate refugees”, she will be free to use it.
We should envy them that. – Yours, etc,
ÁINE NÍ CHONAILL,
Clonakilty,
Co Cork.