(Carlow-Kilkenny): Táim an-bhuíoch go bhfuil deis tugtha dom labhairt ar an ábhar tábhachtach seo. The introduction to my contribution has to be “cead míle fáilte, how are you?” On 14 October, three guests invited to a wedding in Carlow arrived by car at Dún Laoghaire port. The driver and owner of the car was a native Dubliner and her two pals were natives of Ghana. All three were coming to Carlow to attend the wedding of their colleague of seven years' standing in England. The car in which they travelled was the only one of about eight cars coming to the wedding which was stopped. Despite the fact the two ladies from Ghana had their driving licences, bank cards and wedding invitations, they were not allowed enter the country. The Dubliner contacted her mother who arrived with a friend and both were willing to go guarantor for the genuine status of the wedding guests. However, there was no budging.
One immigration official suggested they be let through but the other, whom I presume was his superior, said no. They were allowed to hand over their wedding presents to the mother and having spent two hours in a cold portakabin without even the comfort of a cup of tea, they left our shores with the phrase "Ireland of the welcomes" flashing before their eyes. The fact that one of them had visited Ireland six months previously, coming through Dublin Airport, did not soften the blow to her pride.
Why did an official under the Minister's control show such utter disregard to visitors who were also British citizens and clearly genuine guests invited to a wedding in Carlow and why did he go beyond the call of duty in deciding they were dangerous and should be kept out of the country? At a time when there is uproar about the way asylum seekers and others are being treated, it is time we reviewed our attitude towards people of a different colour when, as in this case, their credentials are beyond question. In view of the fact that for many years, Irish and Ghanaian troops worked together in the Lebanon, it is poor that we have a different attitude at home to that displayed by the gallant members of our Defence Forces who help keep the peace in other lands.
There is a prima facie case that these women from Ghana were drummed out of the country because of the colour of their skin, which would amount to blatant racism. It is possible the Minister can rebut this charge. However, in the absence of a credible explanation, the Minister and his officials stand indicted. I look forward to his reply and I hope it will offer an apology to our visitors who were so badly treated and also to the bride and her family who were humiliated by the way their invited guests were insulted and belittled.