Results 10,641-10,660 of 18,729 for speaker:Michael McDowell

Asylum Applications. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: In my experience, they have travelled here after having arrangements made for them by people traffickers. In general terms, they are of reasonably robust disposition, have travelled long distances to come to Ireland alone and secured passage here by paying substantial sums of money to traffickers. I would not be overly romantic about the fact that 16 and 17 year olds claim asylum here. In my...

Asylum Applications. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: In many cases they are roughly comparable. However, because they are deemed in Ireland to be minors, they are dealt with differently in that they are taken under the aegis of the HSE. They are clothed and given a different level of accommodation to legally adult asylum seekers, who are accommodated in hostels operated by the RIA. Under 18s are educated and well provided for in general terms....

Asylum Applications. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I do not accept that there have been massive problems or any cronyism. The RAT is a fine group of men and women who have done the State some considerable service. There have been newspaper reports about their earnings, which are on a per-case basis. They have undertaken a massive backlog of appeals, which I mentioned earlier, and have virtually eliminated it. We are dealing with people on a...

Asylum Applications. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am disposed in the context of the immigration and naturalisation legislation that is coming forward, to consider making changes but this is not because the system has operated unsatisfactorily or unfairly. I reiterate that the UN High Commissioner, who has had constant access to both levels of the tribunal, said that Ireland's system was one of the best in Europe. No complaint has been made.

Asylum Applications. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: It has been suggested that every decision should be published. There are international obligations to keep the facts and the identity of the applicant in each case private. We received this advice from the UN. The Dutch considered making them public. If the facts could be made anonymous in every case——

Asylum Applications. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: This would take a great deal of time because one would have to deal with countries and their areas and political movements. If it were possible I would welcome the Irish public's seeing the stories that are put forward and rejected at both levels, unbelievable stories of human sacrifice and selection for cults. I see the files because the humanitarian leave to remain files for unsuccessful...

Asylum Applications. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: They do not.

Asylum Applications. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: They do not see them.

Asylum Applications. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I am not in a position to say the number of asylum seekers refused permission to land because no such category exists. Ireland has one of the most liberal and generous asylum regimes in the EU. A group of people in Irish politics believes we run a draconian regime because we do not allow ourselves to be trampled over. The flow of asylum seekers to Ireland has diminished because I strengthened...

Asylum Applications. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is because across Europe the justice and home affairs ministers have been taking a co-ordinated line on this. Measures such as the Eurodac system and the Dublin 2 regulations are creating a climate that is less open to abuse by asylum seekers. Ireland still has a system that is generous to genuine asylum seekers who are fleeing persecution.

Asylum Applications. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: The system is also effective in sorting the genuine asylum seekers from the economic migrants posing as asylum seekers. I make no apology for the effectiveness of the system in distinguishing the two categories.

Asylum Applications. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I uphold constitutional values to the letter and in the spirit of the Constitution. Where parents come to Ireland with an infant child or have a child in Ireland, under our Constitution it is not only the right but the duty of the parents to look after their child. If the parents are not allowed to reside legally in Ireland it is their duty to take their child with them whence they came. I...

Asylum Applications. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I repeat what I said. Is there such a remarkable difference between a 17 and a half year old and an 18 and a half year old who come to Ireland when they come to be considered at the age of 19 as to whether one should go home or one should remain? I do not think there is a difference. I do not see a logical reason for drawing a major distinction between the two categories. Every case where...

Asylum Applications. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: It was overwhelmed in that we had no——

Asylum Applications. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: It is not alarmist; it is true. I am just telling the truth.

Asylum Applications. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: Ireland was overwhelmed by the size of the movement because——

Asylum Applications. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: ——Ireland was a net emigration country which did not have an elaborate system established to deal with a flow of this kind.

Asylum Applications. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: That is now under control. We are now in a position to deal on a real-time basis with applications for asylum. I will not be cowed into using politically correct language or minimising language in regard to what was——

Asylum Applications. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: ——a very serious problem.

Asylum Applications. (27 Apr 2006)

Michael McDowell: I reiterate the following point because the Deputies opposite who are making the most noise may not like to hear it. Each year the State is expending in the order of €370 million to deal with this problem so it is not an insignificant problem.