Mr. Gary Daly:

I might respond to the Deputy McAuliffe's final question and I will do my best not to name anybody. He asked what specific language is used. Both Ms Crickley and I mentioned earlier, although I am not sure whether he was here, that the type of language used in respect of Albanian and Georgian refugees specifically, regarding the supposed merit of some asylum seekers over that of others, is without any factual basis. Asylum seekers are entitled to claim asylum under five headings under the 1951 Refugee Convention, and this is all part of the education aspect about which we have all spoken. Those headings are race, religion, nationality, political opinion and membership of a particular social group. There is no reference to war. The specific people I am thinking of who mention that, and again I am conscious of the directions of the Chair, know this. One of them, in particular, who is a senior member of my profession, absolutely knows that is the legal nexus for making an asylum claim, yet is continuing to propound a myth otherwise. As I mentioned, I have documentation with me relating to how, when an asylum claim is made, a long questionnaire of 90 questions has to be submitted as part of the claim. As part of that, the applicant also has to submit documents to support various aspects of the claim, as well as country of origin information. I have country of origin information with me today in respect of Georgia and Albania. As I stated earlier, part of Georgia, for example, is occupied by the Russian army. It is at war, and the same is true of 45 other countries in the world. There was a war in the north of this country for 30 years. Many countries are at war, but the far right and people generally might be aware there is a state of war in a part of a given country. They would not go on holiday to these countries, yet a narrative is being propounded to the effect that these are safe countries and we do not know why the people are coming here. Lots of countries are unsafe but are not necessarily at war.

Another aspect where specific language is being used by people in positions who should know better relates to economic migrants as opposed to legitimate refugees.