Letters to the Editor: Returning asylum seekers to Britain

One reader asks if we, as a people, are comfortable being in some ways complicit in Britain's plan for addressing the movement of asylum seekers

Asylum seekers have pitched tents along the Grand Canal in Dublin. The new encampment of tents has been erected between Mount St Bridge and Huband Bridge. The location is less than 400m from the International Protection Office on Mount St. Picture: Sasko Lazarov / RollingNews.ie

Last week, the Cabinet approved emergency proposals for Britain to be designated a safe country for asylum seekers to be returned to. The problem with this is we know as soon as they return to Britain, they will likely be sent to Rwanda.

This is after the so-called Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill became law in Britain on April 25. If we go ahead with our legislative proposals, Ireland would be complicit in a process where the end destination for refugees is Rwanda, a dangerous developing country.

Have we now become as xenophobic as Conservative-led Britain?

The language around asylum seekers in Ireland has certainly become questionable lately, with the Department of Justice website stating on April 30 that the proposals will enable “Ireland to resume the returns to the UK”. These are not goods or products that are being returned, these are people simply seeking asylum.

The emergency proposals follow months of widespread arson attacks on accommodation sites earmarked for international protection applicants. There was also the recent violent protest at Trudder House in Newtownmountkennedy, in which fires were lit and gardaí came under attack. This site is planned to accommodate 20 eight-person tents, according to the Department of Integration.

The proposals also come after the riots in Dublin city centre last November that were fuelled by far-right, anti-immigrant sentiment after a knife attack in the city.

The riots garnered outrage and disgust from most corners of society,  but what is troubling now is the complete lack of public outrage about Ireland’s plan to send asylum seekers back to Britain, when we know they will likely be sent to Rwanda, which has a “dismal human rights record”, according to Human Rights Watch.

We have to ask ourselves, as a people, if we’re comfortable being in some ways complicit in the Britain's plan.

Mark Jackson, Dublin

We need dedicated detention centres

Simon Harris talks a good talk about the laws of the land having to be enforced as regards the clearance of the Mount St migrant encampment.

Meanwhile, a large development is being built in Kippure, Co Wicklow, without any planning permission. The optics are not ideal, to say the least.

I read recently that Ireland is one of, if not the only, country in the EU without a dedicated detention centre for illegal migrants.

We need to build one quick so we can house and process these poor people quickly and economically. Time to stop handing over millions in taxpayers money to private companies to do this job for us. The State needs to step up.

It would save money, be more humane, and also act as a deterrent. Immigrants/asylum seekers should be processed quickly based on country of origin. Those who have a legitimate claim should be allowed to  remain, those that don’t should be deported and escorted back to their country of origin.

Meanwhile, we can, as usual, continue to welcome legal migrants, from all over the world, who are coming here to work and fill gaps in our labour market.

We cannot continue to absorb endless streams of people coming here illegally due to our nearest neighbours latest crazy laws.

Paddy Sharkey

Hollywood, Wicklow

Anti-immigrant sentiment is rising

Regarding your editorial — ‘ Far Right in Ireland: Heed the warning before it’s too late’ ( Irish Examiner, May 1) — I’m reminded of my favourite TV show growing up in 1970s, single-channel, monochrome land. Mannix starred Mike Connors as the macho, well-dressed private detective and his dutiful secretary Peggy Fair played by Gail Fisher.

The 194-episode series which began in 1967 almost did not make it to the second season because of poor ratings. However, it was the inclusion of Gail Fisher in season two as the widow of a slain cop with a young son that saw ratings soar. 

It was one of the first time an African American actress was given a leading role by a major TV network, and she subsequently went on to win an Emmy and two Golden Globes — the first black person to win Best Supporting Actress in a TV drama which spawned many other similar shows.

Given the resurgence of anti-immigrant sentiment in this country, it would be interesting to know if there are any Peggy Fairs in some of the right-wing political groupings, such as the Independent Ireland party led by Cork South-West TD Michael Collins.

The Classic Hits broadcaster Niall Boylan recently announced he would campaign as a candidate for the party in the upcoming European elections, stating “there needs to be change”.

I wonder if the kind of change he is referring to is a protectionist, Irish-need-only-apply, alpha male, men don’t rape women, fossil fuel burning culture reminiscent of a trend we are seeing in other Western countries.

Or to paraphrase the actor Jesse Plemons in the dystopian movie Civil War, that has caused a sensation across the Atlantic, where he is shown in military fatigues holding a rifle while interrogating the film’s journalist heroes who have told their interlocutor that they are “Americans”.

“OK,” says Plemons, taking a second before peering through his bright red sunglasses, “what kind of American are you?”

Tom McElligott

Listowel, Kerry

Triple lock is key
to Irish neutrality

The triple lock mechanism sets out the conditions under which more than 12 Irish troops may participate in overseas peace support operations.

For troops to take part, the operation must be mandated by the United Nations, and it must be approved by the Government and by Dáil Éireann.

Spelling out the triple lock in the 2002 Seville Declaration was the key factor used to persuade the Irish people to change their vote on the Nice Treaty referendum.

On his arrival at the recent Brussels summit of EU leaders last month, Taoiseach Simon Harris said the Irish Government had plans to abandon the triple lock and to support further moves towards EU militarisation.

The decision of the FF/FG/GP Government to destroy the triple lock means they can send the Irish Defence Forces to take part in a war without United Nations approval.

Last year,  Minister for Defence Micheál Martin decided to withdraw Irish troops from the UN
peacekeeping mission on the Golan Heights in order, as he suggests, to have the capacity to fulfil his commitment to EU Battlegroups 2024/2025.

This Government now appears committed to totally destroying Irish neutrality and the core role of the United Nations. All three Government parties supported the triple lock in their election manifesto at the last election.

Perhaps they now fear allowing people express their opinions on these issues through a referendum. But, in the upcoming June elections, the electorate may express their anger that a key pre-election promise that protected our neutrality in Irish foreign policy was abandoned.

Roger Cole

Chair, Peace & Neutrality Alliance,

Dalkey, Dublin

Protection needed for Old Irish Goats

Ireland’s wildlife protection laws, or lack of them, are often slated by conservationists and animal protection groups. But the failure to protect the Old Irish Goat, our only native breed of the animal, is a national disgrace.

The animal is a priceless part of our wildlife heritage, having come to Ireland with Neolithic settlers thousands of years ago. It now teeters on the verge of extinction.

In 2022, the Old Irish Goat was officially designated to be “at risk” due to worryingly low numbers.

Yet, incredibly, not only is it still legal to hunt them. You don’t even need a licence to shoot this majestic animal.

How can a Government that contains the Greens allow this to happen? There’s no time to lose: Urgent legislation is required to protect the Old Irish Goat. Otherwise, we’ll lose yet another endangered and loved loved-species to man’s greed and inhumanity.

John Fitzgerald

Callan, Kilkenny