Accusations by leading bishops that the State operates an exclusionary policy towards asylum-seekers have been strongly rejected by the Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform. Mr O'Donoghue also stood by plans to introduce fines for carriers such as airlines and ferries transporting undocumented migrants.
The refugee committee of the Irish Bishops' Conference argued in a paper released yesterday that proposed on-the-spot fines of £2,500 per undocumented passenger would almost certainly drive asylum-seekers into the hands of traffickers.
The four-member committee, led by Dr Fiachra O Ceallaigh, were also highly critical of recent document controls in France for passengers sailing to Rosslare in Co Wexford which have led to a dramatic drop in asylum claims in the port. They accused the State of erecting a glass wall of exclusion around Ireland to keep out undocumented travellers, including asylum-seekers.
In a statement issued yesterday, Mr O'Donoghue said Ireland fully accepted its responsibility under the UN Geneva Convention to provide asylum to people subject to persecution, and had committed substantial resources to the area.
To be recognised and offered protection as a refugee, asylum-seekers must show they are fleeing persecution. Until their cases are determined, applicants for refugee status are called asylum-seekers.
Mr O'Donoghue said in reality people use the asylum system to enter Ireland without the need for protection from persecution. Some 7 per cent of applications for refugee status processed are successful, he added. For people who wish to come to Ireland for economic reasons, there is a work-permit system under which 15,000 people have entered the State this year.
Mr O'Donoghue said the purpose of immigration controls was to protect the security and well-being of citizens. "In operating these controls, we must take action against those who try to enter the country illegally and against those who facilitate them. Carriers' liability is an important instrument in achieving this objective. To suggest that we should take no action to combat illegal immigration, trafficking and people smuggling on the basis that it may affect asylum-seekers is unsustainable. To do so would leave Ireland open to this evil trade, playing into the hands of international organised criminals."