Fitzgerald lacks empathy on asylum

In statements reported in your newspaper (June 23), Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald, lacks understanding of the asylum processes.

Fitzgerald shows an unwillingness to address any of the key issues of asylum, such as the ignorance and venality of those sitting in judgement over asylum seekers. Fitzgerald’s suggestion that “there would also be significant issues in allowing illegal immigrants access to the labour market, in the context of the very large number of people unemployed in the State,” displays a lack of understanding of both asylum (according to the UN Refugee Convention, to which Ireland is bound, people seeking asylum should not be treated as “illegal”), and commerce, while continuing to ensure the marginalisation of the asylum-seeking community.

Her stance is based on the erroneous assumption that people seeking asylum can only be viewed as burdens in a constricting labour force, while ignoring the positive skill base and entrepreneurial potential lost to Ireland through prohibition of their employment.