Asylum seekers have basic rights
He claims that a special maternity unit is to be provided in Co Dublin for asylum seekers "lured by our daft right to automatic citizenship by place of birth."
I know a case of a Nigerian man with an Irish wife and their Irish-born child who has been waiting more than two years so that he can get his residency in Cork. I wrote to the Department of Justice several times so that this gentleman can get a work permit
If Mr Neville is so concerned about taxpayers' money, he should consider writing to the Minister for Justice to ask him why people are being prevented from working and contributing to Irish society?
Why are they being denied the right to education so that they can find jobs? Why are they being prevented from moving out of direct provision centres so that they can start work and cease to be dependent on 19 per week not 40, as suggested by Mr Neville.
Finally, why do we never hear of the Irish working inside American, UK, German, Australian or even African borders? Remember that "everyone has the right to seek and apply for asylum" Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Providing asylum is not charity; it is our international obligation.
Believe me, Ireland is not an attractive country for asylum seekers; people come here because they are forced out of their own countries.
Latif Serhildan,
Outreach Officer,
NASC, Irish Immigrant Support Centre,
Sharman Crawford Street,
Cork.
