Seanad debates

Tuesday, 4 February 2003

Immigration Bill 2002: Report Stage (Resumed) and Final Stage.

 

I accept fully that Senator Terry's amendment seeks to prevent a person from making a foolish and public statement without taking the time to reflect. It might be possible to get around this by having the Refugee Applications Commissioner, the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform or the Reception and Integration Agency provide a leaflet pointing out to people that they are not obliged to encourage undue publicity which might damage them or persons connected to them. Some people would doubtless represent that amendment as an effort by me to cow asylum seekers into not talking to the media. The question is therefore where to draw the line and how to demonstrate that consent is informed.

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