Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for giving me the opportunity to raise this especially sensitive matter on the Adjournment. It has been the subject of several parliamentary questions over recent months.

This case does not involve a prospective deportation but rather a transfer from this country to Belgium. The person in question, Jeannette Fampuma, is a native of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. She was subjected to severe and inhuman treatment in her native country approximately one year ago. She was raped, beaten and subjected to every kind of degrading treatment that could be meted out and is severely traumatised as a result. She has been refused refugee status and it has been determined by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform and the Refugee Applications Commissioner that the best way forward is transfer her to Belgium.

I do not agree that this is the best course of action. Her medical and physical condition is such that she should be treated here on humanitarian grounds. This is the medical advice of her doctor. She is under the care of her sister who is a qualified nurse and has been granted residency and works here. As a humanitarian, the Minister should examine her case and ensure that there is no repetition of what happened last week when four or five gardaí arrived at Ms Fampuma's sister's house looking for her while she was in hospital receiving life-saving treatment.

There are many other courses of action open to the Minister other than attempting to enforce a transfer order in such a case. This woman's life has been endangered several times in the past. She has suffered incredible pain and trauma, which she is reliving. Her doctor has said that it would be criminal to remove her from hospital at the moment. I ask the Minister of State, who is a compassionate and caring person, to take the initiative and ensure she is allowed to remain in the country for the duration of whatever treatment is required, that we, as a caring and compassionate country with a good reputation, are seen to take this initiative without fear or favour, and that nobody else approaches her until she has regained full health.

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