The Coalition Government's response to the controversial issue of asylum seekers is cautious and minimalist, giving formal effect to a number of undertakings of recent months while asserting that those who do not qualify for refugee status will be deported. It seeks to streamline and upgrade existing mechanisms, rather than opting for a significant policy departure. At the same time, the sketching of procedures for the handling of migrant labour has added an extra dimension to the Government's proposals. Even here, operational details and conclusions are so lacking that a considered judgement on their quality could be years away.
Last night's announcement by the Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, was basically a "work in progress" report. Some elements deserve to the welcomed. The extra resources in terms of staff and proposed accommodation make it clear that the controversies of recent months have succeeded in moving the refugee issue up the Government's agenda. For that, the Minister of State with responsibility for human rights, Ms Liz O'Donnell, deserves some credit. The decision by the opposition parties to support a Dail motion of "no confidence" in Mr O'Donoghue's handling of the matter was also influential.
A new reception centre, capable of catering for up to 100 refugees, is to be established in Dublin as quickly as possible. But the planning permission process could delay that project, along with a scheme for other centres close to the capital. An extra 120 staff will be employed within the Department of Justice to deal with asylum seekers; a separate immigration structure will be established and an attempt will be made to speed up the various legal processes. In addition, changes will be made in regulations to allow qualifying refugees take up a job before applying for a work permit. Some streamlining will also take place in relation to the employment of immigrants from outside the European Union. But details of this scheme, which will address skills and labour shortages in the economy, will not be available for some months.
Some years ago, when we exported our people to work in Europe and in the United States in huge numbers, only a trickle of asylum seekers came here. The increase in the number of applicants has coincided with the State's rapid economic growth. In 1994, 362 applications were made for asylum, as against 1,179 in 1996, 4,626 in 1998 and an estimated 7,000 for this year. The availability of work, along with an improved quality of life, probably has as much to do with the surge in refugee numbers as the wars, persecutions and economic circumstances that have driven them to emigrate.
Because of our history, we have a special obligation to deal generously with asylum seekers. Unfortunately, we are not living up to that responsibility. But there is time and scope for change. Mr O'Donoghue's personal commitment to the strict application of United Nations regulations on asylum seekers is not in doubt. He has also spoken of ensuring that asylum seekers have a place to stay and do not have to queue in the streets. But asylum seekers who have been waiting here for years, because of a failure to process their applications, fall into a special category. They should be treated with particular compassion and generosity.