New migrant laws head through Dáil

Controversial new immigration laws were expected to be passed in the Dáil tonight despite widespread criticism from opposition parties and human rights groups.

The proposed law, which had been branded Nazi-like and draconian, was amended after campaigners objected to a section they claimed would allow the State to discriminate against people with disabilities.

The amended Bill was rushed through the Dáil this evening after a recent High Court ruling found ministerial orders governing how gardaí and immigration officials dealt with non-nationals were unconstitutional because they were not made under primary legislation.

The first draft of the new Bill allowed immigration officers to refuse entry to people suffering from a mental disorder.

This was later amended to a definition of those suffering from “profound mental disturbance” showing signs of psychotic disturbance with agitation, delirium, hallucinations or confusion.

Opposition parties and disabled rights’ groups said the amendments did not go far enough.

They attacked Justice Minister Michael McDowell for rushing the Bill through the parliamentary process and warned it could allow discrimination against, for example, people suffering from autism or Down’s syndrome.

Initial plans to rush the legislation through the Dáil last week were abandoned after opposition parties objected to the speed of the move.

The amended Bill passed through the Senate chamber in just two hours on Friday evening, despite an opposition walk-out.

Senator Joe O’Toole claimed the Bill was “rooted in an Aryan philosophy that would be worthy of Nazism at its worst“.

Amnesty International, the Immigrant Council of Ireland, the Irish Refugee Council, the Migrant Rights Centre of Ireland, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties and the Schizophrenia Association of Ireland have all spoken out against the Bill and called for further discussion on it.

Dr Maurice Manning, president of the Irish Human Rights Commission, said he was concerned at the possible consequences for giving broad powers to immigration officials without first putting in place effective safeguards and adequate training.

The Taoiseach told the Dáil the legislation was “a very important matter” and he wanted to get the second stage of the Bill completed today and the final stages completed by tomorrow.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny opposed the guillotining of the Bill, noting there were over 100 proposed amendments to it.

The Labour Party, the Green Party and Sinn Féin also voiced strong objections to the Bill.

Mr McDowell rejected claims that the Bill had Nazi overtones, or that it conferred draconian powers on the Garda or immigration officials.

The minister said the proposed law was aimed at maintaining the safety of Irish citizens and was needed to control the movement of people who are engaged in “international terrorism“.

He said: “We cannot go on for weeks on end without a law which allows the Garda Síochána to monitor the presence of non-nationals within the State.”

He said he would “much prefer” to have a long time to address the issue, but the recent High Court judgment meant it had to be addressed as quickly as possible.

Mr McDowell said the new Bill was a very straightforward matter of transferring the contents of the Aliens Order, which was struck down by the High Court, into a primary statute.

“It’s not a draconian or a punitive piece of legislation as has been suggested.

“It has not been a Nazi regime in Ireland in relation to immigration and we have not had laws that have ground down people or been used arbitrarily,” he added.