Sir, - I read with dismay the comments of Ivor Callely TD (The Irish Times, November 19th). We have come to expect a negative attitude to refugees and asylum-seekers from many politicians, particularly Mr Callely and other members of his party. It is, however, very worrying that he seems to be ignorant of even the most basic facts.
When it is reported on the same day that members of a refugee community association have received racist death threats, it is imperative that our public representatives be at least informed of the true facts before they make comments which would seem to endorse intolerance.
Mr Callely states that there is money being spent on people "who have no right to come and claim asylum in Ireland". I would refer him to article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which Ireland has signed, and which states that "everyone has the right to seek and enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution". If a person's claim, after full examination, is seen to be unfounded, that is a different matter, but a person cannot and should not be judged until that time.
He also seems to be somewhat unsure about the status of such people, and refers to them several times as "illegal immigrants". Even a brief glimpse at the dictionary would tell him that if someone enters the State and "cashes in on the benefits", whatever their motivation, they can- not be an illegal immigrant. If they are claiming benefits, then their presence in the State is documented, and therefore legal.
Still, as a representative of a State which still has no immigration law, you can hardly blame the poor man for being a little confused. - Yours, etc.,
Monica R. Blood PC, Church Street, Dublin 7.