Ms Anne Mulhall:

Anti-Deportation Ireland believes institutional living has to end and we need to go back to pre-2000 arrangements where people had access to the welfare system the same as anyone else living in this country. We welcome the proposed single application procedure, referred to by Mr. Musekiwa, for refugee status and subsidiary protection. However, we have some questions about this process. Most people given residency in Ireland get it on the grounds of leave to remain. This is generally granted on the grounds of a person’s contribution to and integration into society. Accordingly, a person will need a reference from Irish or other EU citizens, demonstrate having done certain courses or volunteered for different organisations. We have concerns about such cases. We also have concerns about whether the possibility to make an appeal will be reduced.

Given the lethargy of the system, as described by Mr. Musekiwa, what will fundamentally change in the proposed single process? Will it speed up to the extent that it is no longer this system, described by Ms Mokoba and Mr. Musekiwa so well, with people living in institutions for years on end with deportation orders hanging over their heads which is really a form of torture? We would call for a return to pre-2000 arrangements which would allow people the right to work.