Inaction is dangerous and utterly delusional

TOMORROW, Hungary votes on whether or not it will be bound by the European Union’s quota system for refugees. The question is simple: “Do you want the European Union to be able to mandate the obligatory resettlement of non-Hungarian citizens to Hungary even without the approval of the national assembly?

The border-fence-building Prime minister Viktor Orbán is the driving force behind the referendum that requires at least a 50% voter turnout to validate whatever decision is reached. His vehemently anti-immigrant government has spent €16 million trying to secure a “No” vote and, like his American peer Donald Trump, he has not let the truth get in the way of a powerful but inaccurate slogan. One suggests that immigrants have established 900 lawless “no-go zones” across Europe. It seems, that as in most debates on this issue, we are in a post actual world where the truth is whatever you want it to be, whatever will win the argument and feed your local project fear. Should Hungary vote to reject the EU quotas, and it is feared that it will, then this will be another body blow to the EU and its policies on immigration, largely shaped, and encouraged by German chancellor Angela Merkel. It will also undermine European solidarity and encourage those across Europe who have been inspired by the Britexit vote and want to see the EU weakened if not destroyed. A “No” vote would add to the momentum chipping away at project Europe and should concern us all. It would also raise the obvious question — which member state will be next to reject a core EU principle? And which principle?

Reports suggest that anti-immigrant hatred in Hungary has gone beyond anything rational. It certainly seems to echo some of Europe’s worst excesses. However, as the Comptroller and Auditor General’s report published yesterday showed, we cannot be too self-righteous on immigration or our pretty inadequate response to the escalating crisis.

The C&AG tells us that just over half of those seeking asylum in Ireland live in one of’35 direct provision centres. Last December, there were 4,696 people living in one or other of these centres. Last month, one-in-six residents in direct provision had secured refugee or subsidiary protection status, or leave to remain but were stuck in direct provision as it was so hard to find accommodation on the open market.

One of the details in the C&AG report that demands more positive action is the length of time some applicants spend in the direct provision limbo. The average length of stay was 38 months but some 450 people — 10% — have been residents of direct provision for more than seven years. There are many and complex reasons for this but if an Irish person was held in a facility like this in, say, Orban’s Budapest, we would react pretty assertively. Maybe it’s time to invoke a clause that says a case must be finalised within a certain timeframe or the applicant is automatically granted resident status?

The great challenges of our age are climate change and immigration. Our response to both is delusional and does no more than sow the seeds of disaster. It is time for some real humanity, some grown-up thinking and brave action.