State seeks to change 'right to stay' law
The State has begun a High Court challenge to the right of non-nationals to remain in this country on the grounds that they are parents of Irish-born citizens.
The Refugee Office says one in every two female asylum seekers are visibly pregnant when they apply here.
The State is instead in favour of a system where the parents are only granted residency if they have been living in Ireland for a significant period prior to the birth of their child.
Today, a barrister for two sets of parents from Nigeria and the Czech Republic said the law is clear.
He said a child born in Ireland has the right to be educated and can even run for President.
The outcome of this case will have implications for almost 6,000 applications currently being processed.
