A shambolic response to crisis in asylum system

Sir, – The ongoing concerns regarding justice, policing, and migration issues appear to be deepening by the day. The Department of Justice, a senior ministry with responsibility for policing, State security and immigration, appears to be struggling with these very issues. Issues regarding policing our capital city remain largely unaddressed, despite assurances from Minister for Justice Helen McEntee that the city is safe. Her meaningless walkabout, accompanied by senior gardaí, after a savage attack on an American tourist, didn’t inspire confidence. The recent riots in Dublin city centre, where Garda resources were stretched, and the lack of suitable equipment evident, also raise questions.

The Minister’s recent comments on cross-border migration, which led to a spat with the British government, also appear to be ill-judged. Her officials warned her two years ago regarding the potential knock-on effects of the United Kingdom’s Rwanda policy, and the lack of preparation taken here to respond to it.

Taoiseach Simon Harris recently mentioned one of his priorities was law and order. Napoleon once said: “Give me lucky generals.” It appears we have neither luck nor competence regarding justice. – Yours, etc,

CONOR HOGARTY,

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Blackrock,

Co Dublin.

Sir, – One can only agree with the opinion of many NGOs that in its Rwanda policy the UK government is “directly defying its own courts and international law” (Letters, May 3rd). However, in the ongoing debate on precisely how huge numbers of asylum seekers come to present themselves at the International Protection Office (IPO), it is disappointing that the NGO community continues with the view that the Minister for Justice has made “questionable and unsubstantiated claims” that in recent months the vast majority of these applicants for international protection have travelled from Northern Ireland.

It is worth commenting on the publicly expressed arguments put forward by the NGOs against this analysis and the Government’s approach to the Border issue.

It is stretching the imagination to suggest that there are thousands of people who have fled persecution and war but have had the time beforehand to successfully apply to the Irish authorities for the necessary entry visa, have taken up residence in this country and then decided to apply for international protection.

It is also difficult to imagine that this cohort of applicants have a fear of deportation or a return to their country of origin when over recent years such actions by the authorities have been limited.

It is important for all concerned to accept that long before the discussion on movements from Northern Ireland and how best to deal with this, the asylum accommodation structure was facing huge challenges.

The reality is that the system needs to recover from a 400 per cent increase in asylum applications in 2022, the majority of these involving economic migrants from safe third countries who still remain in State accommodation. For the most part, this happened because of a number of pull factors, in particular the amnesty for undocumented migrants and the White Paper to end direct provision, both of which were well-intentioned initiatives and, as such, welcomed by the NGOs, but had unintended consequences which should have been foreseen.

The priority must now be to ensure that, in line with our international obligations, all the elements of the asylum processing system are fully working with the immediate and primary aim of freeing up accommodation places for the genuine refugees from countries such as Afghanistan and Syria who are sleeping on our streets. – Yours, etc,

MARTIN McDONALD,

Terenure,

Dublin 12.

Sir, – In the article “Some refugees left without accommodation on Mount Street while a number set to return to Dublin City centre” (May 2nd), you report that asylum seekers were warned in writing that if they returned to Mount Street they could be arrested and criminally prosecuted.

Both domestic and EU law provides that the Irish State must provide basic reception conditions or accommodation to those who seek refuge on our shores.

A failure of the State to do so leaves it open to litigation, and homeless asylum seekers could be entitled to damages arising from the State’s failure. The vast majority of the rough sleepers have not and will not seek vindication or compensation from the courts.

Will the State show similar empathy and refrain from arrest and criminal prosecution? – Yours, etc,

SIOBHAN CONLON,

Kimmage,

Dublin 12.

Sir, – Now that the authorities have addressed the Mount Street debacle , perhaps they could turn their attention to doing something tangible to help the dreadful plight of so many homeless, desperate and lost souls to be seen in Dublin city centre on a daily basis.

On one day this week, walking from Henry Street to South King Street, I was approached by 14 people asking for money. I counted five tents pitched across different streets; on another street a young woman, clearly very distressed, was walking up and down the street in what appeared to be a drug-induced state, and another group of individuals were chasing each other down a street in what appeared to be an argument about cans of beer.

Daily I see the same desperate faces in the city centre, mainly young people who most likely will not reach old age.

To witness their despair and the sheer waste of their potential is tragic.

As a citizen, I feel helpless in many ways as to how to help them. Handing them loose change is not the answer.

However, I do have a vote, and I will be using it very carefully when the time arises. I urge all people in Dublin to do the same. – Yours, etc,

BARBARA KEOGH,

Dublin 11.