Ferry companies and hauliers operating between Cherbourg and Ireland have agreed to review security measures with immediate effect to stem the flow of stowaway asylum-seekers concealed in ships leaving France.
Despite the prospect of harsh legislative measures against any freight companies or hauliers found guilty of illegally carrying asylum-seekers, the Irish Road Haulage Association, P&O European Ferries and Irish Ferries yesterday joined the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, in expressing concern that life could be lost if the current situation continued.
Following separate meetings between the Minister and representatives of the ferry companies and the Irish Road Haulage Association, two joint statements were issued last night expressing concern over potential loss of life.
After meeting Mr O'Donoghue, the Irish Road Haulage Association's president, Mr John Guilfoyle, said he was gravely concerned about proposed legislation which could have an extremely damaging effect on his members' livelihoods.
Representatives of the ferry companies and the haulage industry are to have consultations with the Minister on the Immigration (Trafficking and Employment) Bill, which proposes tough penalties for those found guilty of engaging in the illegal carrying of asylum-seekers into the State.
Despite their reservations, the Minister reiterated his intention of pressing ahead with legislation on carriers' liability. He is also considering finger-printing asylum-seekers and accelerated procedures for processing their applications.
Income-support arrangements for asylum-seekers are being considered by an inter-departmental committee.
The Department is currently drafting legislation which would allow for the confiscation of trucks, boats and aircraft and the imposition of heavy fines or prison sentences of up to five years for those convicted of illegally carrying asylum-seekers.
P&O European Ferries and Irish Ferries said that they had agreed to examine security at Cherbourg and would act in liaison with the port authorities.
Representatives of the ferry companies claimed that French immigration authorities were not taking appropriate action to deal with the use of Cherbourg as a transit point for illegal migration to Ireland. Mr O'Donoghue told the industry representatives he would "exert all appropriate measures" on the French authorities to counter this.
Mr Guilfoyle said that the Minister was trying to make hauliers accountable, but his members would not tolerate being made scapegoats, and none of them was involved in the illegal carrying of asylum-seekers. "It is a French problem, originating in France, and could be solved very easily", he said. "The French authorities are turning a complete blind eye and shipping the problem to Ireland. We are not running a taxi service for anyone."