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THE IMMIGRANT COUNCIL of Ireland has said that a failure to introduce legislation will ruin Christmas for legal migrants in Ireland.
The council says that a failure to introduce rights for Irish citizens and migrants legally living here to be with their loved ones will leave many families “torn apart” this Christmas.
Ireland currently has, according to the Migrant Integration Policy Index, the worst family reunification policy in Europe or North America.
They say that they hope 2014 will see the introduction of legislation that will eliminate Ministerial discretion in applications for visas.
Senior Solicitor with the Immigrant Council of Ireland, Hilkka Becker says:
“As we approach year end, we are encouraged by indications that the Government is planning to honour its commitment to act on an issue which is leaving people living in limbo.
“Reform needs to happen on several levels to make conditions for family reunification accessible and to ensure that decisions that interfere with the right to family life are foreseeable for applicants.”
Skype on Christmas Day
The immigrant council point to a case of a Chinese national forced to leave her son behind as proof that the system is in need of an overhaul.
Lucy came to Ireland to study over 10 years ago.
She met her husband and she gave birth to a baby son in Ireland six years ago. As they were both studying and working to support their studies, they asked her parents in China to look after their son for a short period when he was two.
Although they have now been granted a more permanent status, their son was refused a visa to return to Ireland.
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Going to be a huge waste in tax payer money on this.
Reminds me of the 100ks euro being spent on reports getting them translated to Irish , yet time and time again nobody ever requests the Irish reports.
Having 20% being Irish is out of step with Irish population, no where near 20% of this country’s population chooses Irish as their first language
@Barry Somers: maybe have them 100% available in Irish only. English translation by request only. Maybe that would encourage people to improve their Irish. What’s your plan? Just give up on your country’s beautiful indigenous language..?
@Diaspora’d: oh I see, you are trying the same tactic as the education system when it comes to Irish by forcing it on people.
Remind me again just how much its failed for decades where people leave school with hardly a word of Irish.
It’s failed utterly in our education system but it seems that doesn’t stop you.
@Barry Somers: Actually it’s because it’s never been properly implemented. Still can’t understand why kids in Ireland are not all educated in all-Irish primary and secondary schools. All-Irish schools are an excellent way to give kids the ability to be bilingual and then be able to pick up other languages too. It’s no hindrance to their overall education and I also can’t understand why Irish people who are proud of their identity would be so willing to let their indigenous language die.
Faoi dheireadh! Dea nuacht don Ghaeilge.
Before any of the nay sayers comment here. This won’t actually cost anything. Asking that a proportion of the messages already sent out by departments be done as Gaeilge makes sense. It’s a shame to see government departments putting out English only messaging on social media
20% employment will be a great encouragement for young people to engage with the language more in school and college.
@Aodhán Ó Deá: Aontaím go hiomlán
Visit the so-called Irish-speaking areas (Dingle is a prime example) and listen to the languages spoken. English, of course, and, depending on the time of year, Polish is next and then German and French. The pretence is embarrassing. The only place I know of that comes remotely close to being a Gaeltacht is Carraroe, Co Galway but it’s nowhere near what it was when I lived there years ago. We didn’t need Gaeltacht signs back then; the predominant language was Irish. Today is quite a different story. Time to face reality. Sad but true.
Ar feabhas!
Irish is Marbh.
Waste of money
More people speak polish than Irish
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