McDowell asylum plans are little more than a smokescreen
Issued : Saturday 27 January, 2007
Michael McDowell's announcement that he is considering opening detention centres for asylum seekers from certain countries seems to be little more than a cynical attempt to divert attention from his lamentable record in tackling crime.
Crime figures published last week showed drug crimes, murders, assaults and robberies all on the increase, painting a very bleak picture for the Minister. Perhaps Michael has felt somewhat unloved by the media recently and has decided to use the opportunity afforded by today's conference to fly one of his customary kites.
A few months ago it was stamp duty, today it's the asylum seekers.
Some years ago Ireland was attracting some 12,000 asylum seekers a year, but now that figure is down to around 3,000. I find it most puzzling that the minister sees it necessary to propose such draconian measures at a time when the situation seems quite manageable.
It is deplorable that the Minister would play politics with such a sensitive issue in the run up to the election.
|
