Immigration Unit welcome but answers still needed

Labour spokesperson on Equality, Cllr Deirdre Kingston has welcomed the news that a designated immigration unit will be developed at Dublin Airport but said that answers are still needed on why Ms Silva-Carvalho was treated the way she was.

Cllr Kingston said:

“I welcome the news that the Department of Justice and OPW will start work in September on a dedicated immigration unit at Dublin Airport.

“I can only conclude that this is a response to the negative publicity due to the imprisonment of a Brazilian au pair overnight two weeks ago despite evidence of return flights, accommodation and cash resources.

“We still don’t know why Ms Silva-Carvalho was treated the way she was, and how many others visitors to Ireland have been left traumatised from similar treatment. Subsequent reports suggested that well over 400 people had been detained in 2016 in relation to immigration issues.

“The fact that other alleged cases of mistreatment have been brought to the attention of the Brazilian Embassy shows that this was not an isolated incident. It is essential that the facts are disclosed to the public to ensure full transparency and accountability.

“We need better oversight of our immigration system, and how cases like this are being handled as it is concerning that visitors to Ireland may be discriminated against because of their background, education or economic status.

“I will be working with my Labour colleagues in the Oireachtas to get answers as to why this happened.