Sir, - the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform may wish to bear in mind that the United Nations High commissioner for Human Rights is at present pushing for the ratification of the international Convention on the Rights of Migrant Workers and Members of their Families. As governments recognise this as a global policy concern, surely the very pressing need for a comprehensive and sustainable policy at home needs to be addressed.
Increasing labour shortages coupled with a scandalous backlog of asylum applications suggests that we're failing to recognise that people are seeking in Ireland one or all of the following: a place of refuge, employment, education and freedom. It is time for Ireland to start framing a policy with international credibility. - Yours, etc.,
Kenneth Reid, Blackhorse Avenue, Dublin 7.