Sir, – Breda O’Brien (“Inhumane asylum seeker system needs radical reform”, Opinion, March 23rd) states, “Our current system also prevents asylum seekers from finding work, and forces them to depend on the meagre bounty of the State. One man said to me that if you had worked in your own country, not even being allowed to apply for a job is like torture.”
If this gentleman she refers to had a job in his own country, why is he looking for the protection of this State – protection that he is claiming, as an asylum seeker, is not available to him in his home country, for such is what a real refugee is.
This man, clearly, is an economic migrant and not a refugee, similar to the undocumented Irish in the US. – Yours, etc,
SEAN DEEGAN,
(Former Member of Refugee
Appeals Tribunal),
Rochfortbridge,
Co Westmeath.
Sir, – It was with particular interest that I read Breda O’Brien’s article (Opinion, March 23rd) as I headed into town on the bus on Saturday morning to meet a family of asylum-seekers. They had come to Dublin to stay overnight in our home. The response of one of the parents (who has been in this country many years) to the article was that the general situation was worse than described. One asylum seeker who stayed with us several times has now been part of the “system” for more than nine years.
One aspect of the system that has caused concern relates to the vaccination needs of children born in this country, prior to their deportation.
Am I correct in my understanding that the deportation process does not even include up-to-date, country-specific advice and recommendations being given to the parents (and in sufficient time) for them to make the necessary arrangements at their own expense? In the case of the anti-malaria drug, Mefloquine (Lariam), it should be taken about two weeks before the date of travel in order to ensure “steady-state” levels. What are parents to do when they do not know when the family will be collected for deportation?
Despite the anguish experienced by many in the system, I have been told of (and indeed witnessed) kindness and respect shown by members of the staff of holding centres. – Yours, etc,
KEN RYAN,
Raheny Park,
Dublin 5.