2^nd July 2003

PRESS RELEASE

GREENS VOICE CONCERN AT FORTRESS IRELAND AS FF/FG PASS IMMIGRATION BILL

The Green Party has criticised the Government for rushing the Immigration Bill through the Dáil today.

The Bill places an onus on transport operators to ensure that all persons carried comply with immigration procedures.

"In effect this means that private operators will have to make decisions on people's right to travel. This will drive legitimate asylum seekers underground into the hands of traffickers and smugglers.

"The Government stifled debate on this Bill by introducing amendments at the eleventh hour. It made matters worse by not allowing sufficient time for opposition TD's and others to propose changes after the new amendments had been submitted. The Dáil should debate laws rather than rubber-stamp them. Legislation should protect the most vulnerable of our society, not disown them. This Immigration Bill represents a tightening of borders, and deters those fleeing persecution from seeking asylum in Ireland.

"If we put more energy into integrating policies and less time into tightening border controls we would be taking the first steps towards producing a fair,

constructive policy that accommodates the humane aspect surrounding immigration.

The Green Party also queried Fine Gael Justice Spokesperson John Deasy's support for the Bill when the rest of his Party voted against it.