Steep fall in asylum seeker figures
There is fresh concern this morning about our policy towards asylum seekers with Government figures confirming that the numbers entering the country have fallen away dramatically.
Last month, the numbers arriving on Irish shores fell by 300 and it is thought a new get-tough policy at Rosslare is responsible.
During the month of December, just over 700 asylum seekers came here - the lowest total in six months and has sparked fresh fears among human rights campaigners that the Government has gone too far.
The Department of Justice says it is too early to read any significance into these figures, which brought last year’s total to almost 11,000.
The Irish Commission for Justice and Peace and the Refugee Council are becoming increasingly concerned about a new crackdown, making it more difficult for asylum seekers to enter through the port of Rosslare and there are fears genuine cases are being turned away.
It is being claimed that people are finding it more difficult to get on ships to Ireland at Cherbourg and more and more passengers are being refused permission to disembark at Rosslare.
Last month, the bishops also expressed concern and said that future monthly asylum seekers will be carefully watched.
