User talk:Irelandirish

Anti-Deportation Ireland Press Statement on Direct Provision Working Group* ADI today calls on NGOs on the new Working Group on Direct Provision and Asylum Reform to resign their places on the Group so that asylum seekers of the 34 Direct Provision centres can be directly represented. Residents from 8 Direct Provision centres, or over 20% of all centres, have demanded *the end of Direct Provision* during recent protests. “The residents of Atlantic House, Birchwood, Glountane, Kinsale Road, Athlone, Portlaoise, Foynes and Ballyhaunis have made it clear that they want the Direct Provision system ended immediately,” said Joe More of ADI today. Their protests have shown that the system itself must be closed. The terms of reference of the Working Group allow the members of the Group to make recommendations about “improvements” to the Direct Provision system. Direct Provision cannot be improved or reformed; it must be closed immediately. The damage has already been done to tens of thousands of asylum seekers who have been confined in Direct Provision for years at a time. It’s time for the system to end. Joe Moore went on to say that “the Working Group is reminiscent of the Berlin Conference of 1884-85, during which the Imperial powers met amongst themselves to carve up Africa, for themselves … The Berlin Conference removed the autonomy of African people; this Working Group, as its currently composed, will see the Irish Government and Irish NGOs meet to decide the fate of thousands of vulnerable asylum seekers who will not have a voice at the table.” While we acknowledge the presence of Reuben Hambakachere on the Working Group, his presence alone does not hide the fact that there are no asylum seekers represented on the group. The very people whose lives will be affected by the findings of the Working Group, asylum seekers living within the direct provision system, must be directly and well represented on the Group. Joe Moore stated: “For the working group to have true legitimacy, asylum seekers from across the 34 centres must have direct representation. The NGOs who have been given a place on the Working Group should allow asylum seekers to take their place. The Working Group is clearly designed to produce recommendations that will produce a reformed Direct Provision system. The current residents have been clear - they want Direct Provision ended. They should be allowed to have an equal and effective voice on the Working Group to repeat that call.” The Terms of Reference state that the cost of the protection system must be reduced or remain close to current levels. The Direct Provision system, as it stands, sees tens of millions of euros transferred to private companies. “It is ironic that the terms of reference of the working group seek to reduce the overall cost of the protection system. Direct Provision alone will have cost the state almost €900 million by the end of this year, and over €50 million this year alone,” said Joe Moore. “This money goes directly to private companies who provide what has been shown, time and again, to be appalling provision for asylum seekers. This abuse continues because asylum seekers are under threat of deportation and transfer if they complain.” This situation cannot continue. The residents at 8 centres have raised their voices to say that enough is enough. Direct provision must end and asylum seekers must be allowed to work and to access third level education. ENDS