Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this issue on the Adjournment. It relates to an unaccompanied minor who arrived in the State from Angola some years ago in need of care and attention and has been reporting to the Garda National Immigration Bureau on a regular basis. This person is highly respected and unassuming and is of good character and behaviour. He has been well received by the local community and has never been in any trouble. For some reason, however, he has received a double alert in recent days, which indicates that something is happening.

This person was not granted refugee status. Despite numerous parliamentary questions to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, his case has not been re-examined. There is a substantial threat to his well-being in the event of him being deported. Until his arrival in Ireland, his life was spent in the shadow of war, threat, intimidation and danger. His behaviour while living here has been exemplary and his case is supported by the Dún Laoghaire relief project and by the people in his local community in Francis Street. He has great respect for the laws and institutions of the State.

He is one of a number of young people who arrived here as minors and are now adults. They know more about this country and have more friends here than in the countries in which they were born. They were, with good reason, allowed to remain here for several years. The assumption is that there is no danger or threat to them in returning to their home countries, but I do not accept that. A considerable threat remains to this person and the approximately 200 others in the same category. They have been allowed to remain here but their status has not been reviewed. They have not been allowed to work although they are quite willing to work. They have been educated here and were highly respected and given recognition by their teachers. I urge the Minister to take a compassionate and humanitarian approach and recognise the problem in respect of a specific group of young people, of whom this gentleman is one. He should address the issue, review this case and the others and offer an amnesty.

We have, rightly, campaigned for the legalisation of the undocumented Irish in the United States. The circumstances are vastly different, but as a wealthy country we should be conscious of the issues and compassionate in our dealings with people in this category.

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