Minister accused of playing the race card

ON Oireachtas Report (RTÉ 1, June 8), Deputy Jim O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice, Michael McDowell, about the Government’s policy on deportation of non-nationals who have served prison sentences for a criminal offence committed in Ireland.

I was outraged to hear him accuse Mr O’Keeffe of xenophobia.

That was how it all began in England and France. Regardless of how genuine the query about immigration policy, just play the race card and everyone run for cover.

Mr McDowell must apologise for this outrageous remark. If he is allowed to get away with throwing around the race card whenever he is asked to give details about immigration policy, he creates a very dangerous precedent.

People are genuinely concerned and must be allowed ask questions on matters relating to immigration. We should name and shame those who use the race card to block such debate.

Only recently the British Home Secretary, Charles Clarke, had to resign as a result of news that more than 1,000 foreign criminals who had served their sentences were on the streets rather than facing deportation. Mr McDowell is trying to keep us in the dark about the lack of policy on foreign criminals on the streets of Ireland.

Martin F Healy

114 Herberton Road

Rialto

Dublin 8