Is 520 the best we can do?

Dear Editor, It is encouraging to hear that parishioners across Ireland are making plans to welcome refugees from North Africa and the Middle East, and encouraging too to hear of bishops attempting to coordinate this response.

Unfortunately, you report the Department of Justice as saying that a mere 520 migrants will have refugee status, with the majority of those we’ll accept being treated as normal asylum seekers (IC 10/09/2015). Is this the best we can do? 

We already have more than 5,000 people trapped in the degrading direct provision system – are we to cram thousands more into disused barracks, when parishioners across the land are willing to open their doors to them?

‘Ireland of the welcomes’ indeed!

Clare O’Connor,

Mullingar,

Co. Westmeath.