Assylum seekers have had a raw deal, many waiting up to 10 years or more in the miserable conditions of Direct Provision. So – welcome the news that the new judgement allows the right to right work. But will this government try to wriggle out of doing the right thing.
Dr Conor Kenny from Sligo spoke on the radio May 9 th (Morning Ireland, RTE) about his experiences as a doctor (MSF) on board a refugee rescue ship in the Mediterranean. It was horrific. Too many people, too few boats, people screaming in pain from injuries as boats sank. At least 200 drowned. He spoke of what refugees told him about their experiences in Libya where men, women and children are beaten, raped, and sold as slaves within the detention centres that are meant to care for them. Back in February I challenged the Taoiseach on his support for EU plans to give Libya €200 million to ‘care for’ refugees. He defended this deal. Taoiseach Enda Kenny should listen to Dr Conor Kenny’s account of the horror that this deal entails. This is the video starts with Dr Kenny (audio recording) folowed by my exchange with the Taooiseach on the Libyan deal, back in February this year. Surely he can’t continue to stand over what he said
Brid slams our governments’ support for the strategy of the EU paying Libya to keep the refugees there, in the chaotic State of Libya, a place where they are in grave danger at the hands of unscrupulous war lords, rather than allowing these unfortunate people to seek refuge in a peaceful land.
Speaking to the Dáil, Bríd Smith TD outlined the record of our government. We promised to take 4,000 refugees, we agreed 500 under the Resettlement programme; so far we’ve taken 69 under the Relocation programme. 600 children alone, died so far this year fleeing war.
Brid Smith TD slams the shameful record of the EU on the refugee crisis
Brid Smith TD was one of a number of speakers at a rally to condemn the violent attack on a local Afghani family, and to show solidarity with them
