Sir, – The 2020 programme for Government included a commitment to “act on interim recommendations from the chair of the expert group to improve conditions for asylum seekers”. Most of these could be implemented at the stroke of a ministerial pen. Not a single one has been.
To the contrary, the Department of Transport fought a lengthy legal case attempting to prevent International Protection Applicants from obtaining driving licences on the same basis as any other Irish resident.
Having lost in the High Court, the department has announced its refusal to accept the verdict and its intent to seek to overturn it via legislation.
The details may change, but successive governments continue to do everything in their power to torment and immiserate this community, and to deny the nation the enormous benefits that their full participation in society would offer.
– Yours, etc.
BEN WALSH,
Glasnevin,
Dublin 11.