NWCI express deep concern at Scheme for Immigration and Residence Protection Bill

Published: Wednesday, September 06, 2006

The National Womens Council of Ireland has expressed deep concern regarding the Governments Scheme for an Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill, published yesterday. Whilst there are some welcome initiatives within the Bill, the failure of Government to provide adequate protection to particular groups of immigrants is deeply worrying said Rachel Doyle, of the NWCI.

The Scheme does little to advance integration, equality and justice for those who have come to live in Ireland, seeking a better life. Its emphasis on criminality, identity cards and deportations serves only to promote fear, further social exclusion and segregation, she said.

Ms Doyle added that under this Scheme, women in particularly vulnerable situations i.e. those experiencing domestic violence or those who have been forced to leave their place of employment because of exploitation and unfair treatment, are not provided with an opportunity to legalise their position. The Scheme should have provided an opportunity for Government to introduce bridging visas to protect the rights of those in this situation.

The concerns of community organisations throughout the country, expressed to Government , that the legislation should afford protection, respect and inclusion to immigrants appear to have been ignored said Ms. Doyle. The NWCI is calling on the Government to revise this Scheme to reflect the critical concerns of those who are working directly with immigrants here, she added.