Tensions have emerged between the two Government parties over the Taoiseach's controversial proposal to explore the possibility of introducing mandatory detention for asylum-seekers.
The chairman of the Progressive Democrats, Mr John Minihan, told The Irish Times last night he was not in favour of detention centres or compounds for illegal immigrants. He said he would raise the issue with the Tanaiste and with the party at its next general council meeting at the end of the month.
"Placing asylum-seekers behind barbed wire is not the answer. Whatever facilities we provide, we have to ensure that the dignity of the individual is respected," he said.
Last November the Progressive Democrat Minister of State, Ms Liz O'Donnell, criticised the Government for its "doom-laden ad hoc policy" on asylum-seekers. Her criticism followed scenes of chaos which led to the temporary closure of the Refugee Application Centre in Mount Street, Dublin, because of overcrowding and long queues.
Mr Ahern suggested in Australia this week that the Government will consider new rules to regulate the number of illegal immigrants entering the State.
He expressed an interest in the Australian model following a visit to the Migrant Resource Centre outside Sydney. Detention for unlawful non-citizens is mandatory under the Migration Act in Australia.
Mr Ahern said it was important to tighten up the policy on immigrants and did not rule out the possibility of detention camps and compounds to deal with asylum-seekers. He claimed the UN High Commission for Refugees had said Ireland's policy on asylum-seekers was "too liberal".
The UNHCR has sought clarification from the Department of the Taoiseach following Mr Ahern's claim.
A spokesman for Amnesty International in Australia said on RTE Radio yesterday that some of the six detention centres in Australia are surrounded by barbed wire. Others are located in the middle of a desert.
A spokesman for the Tanaiste said last night the party would "prefer to wait and see what proposals were made" to the Cabinet on accommodation for asylum-seekers and refugees.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn, called on the Taoiseach to withdraw his "ignorant, false and misleading" statement on the supposed need for the compulsory detention of asylum-seekers.
The Green Party TD, Mr John Gormley, accused the Taoiseach of turning his back on the Government's own commissioned report on the 1996 Refugee Bill.
The refugee co-ordinator with the Irish section of Amnesty International, Dr Colin Harvey, said he was dismayed by the casual references of the Taoiseach.
"Amnesty International would agree wholeheartedly with UNHCR when it states that the detention of asylum-seekers should normally be avoided."