The Minister of State for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Mr Willie O'Dea, has denied that the Government is lukewarm in its commitment to fight racism. "There is no inconsistency between the Government's cracking down on illegal immigration and its anti-racism policy."
He said: "Illegal immigration must be seen for what it is - a form of exploitation. People who work illegally are open to exploitation by traffickers and unscrupulous employers. Illegal immigrants working for below the minimum wage are competing unfairly with legal immigrants and Irish workers. To turn a blind eye to illegal immigration is to condone such exploitation."
Mr O'Dea said to argue that at a time of full employment the State should not tackle illegal immigration was to stir up trouble later. "If we do not enforce deportation orders against those whose application for asylum has been turned down, and who have not been given leave to stay on humanitarian grounds, the credibility of the asylum process would be jeopardised."
He said the steering group overseeing a national action plan against racism was a testament to this. The plan is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The steering group was representative of Government departments, specialist and other bodies, social partners and voluntary groups.
