andDr. Hillery asked the Minister for External Affairs if he is aware of the anxiety which exists among the Hungarian refugees in Knockalisheen Camp with regard to their future; whether applications have been made to his Department by Hungarians for permission to go to Canada or the United States, and if he will arrange to have them admitted to these countries.
Private Notice Question. - Hungarian Refugees.
I am aware of and fully understand the anxiety felt by the refugees at Knockalisheen Camp as to their future.
In regard to the second part of the Deputies' question, it is not necessary for any of the refugees to apply to my Department for permission to go to Canada, United States or any other country. They are quite free to leave at any time. We have simply given them asylum here for the period that circumstances compel them to remain with us, and already 31 adults and 13 children have left for other countries, their fares being paid by the Irish Red Cross.
In answer to the last part of the Deputies' question, it must be realised that we cannot unduly press other countries to admit refugees. It is for the Government of each country to decide whom they shall admit. In fact, however, the Governments of the United States and Canada are fully aware that a number of refugees here have expressed the wish to enter their territories, and the refugees have been kept fully informed through the Red Cross of the situation since their reception in this country.
Is the Minister aware that the refugees have actually asked the Government to receive a deputation on the matter and will he state what the position is?
I am aware that they have asked to see some member of the Government on the matter but the Deputy will realise that they have been kept fully informed by the Red Cross authorities all the time. The Red Cross tried to impress upon them what the situation is more or less on the lines of the reply I have given the Deputy. In order that there could be no possibility of any doubt on the matter, we have sent down a couple of representatives from the Department of External Affairs and from the Department of Justice to explain the situation to them personally.
Is it definite that eventually all the refugees will be admitted to either Canada or the U.S.A.?
That is a matter for those countries.
It should be made very clear to the Hungarians that Ireland has done all in its power to assist them, notwithstanding the fact that a large number of our own citizens are unemployed. They have never received any guarantee—or will the Minister say that they did?—that they would get employment and they are free to return to Hungary any time that they so wish. Further, will the Minister inform the Hungarians that while they are living in this country they will have to behave themselves in a reasonable manner?
The Deputy is making a speech.
I am pointing out to the Minister that this is a very serious matter of great importance to Deputy Hillery and myself.
The Deputy's statement expands the original question a great deal.
I would ask the Minister if he will inform them in no uncertain way that if they do not behave themselves in this country he will be forced to take action on behalf of the Government?
The Deputy is making a charge.
The position in regard to these unfortunate people who are here in a strange country is that they do not understand the language. They do not realise that there are thousands of other refugees in other countries seeking to gain entry into the same countries that they wish to enter. They do not realise that the position is not under the control of this Government and that we are doing everything we can to assist them. Unfortunately, we are not able to remedy the situation at once. We are doing our best to try and remedy the situation as far as they are concerned but they must be patient. We should understand these people, when one thinks of their background and so on, and we do understand them—at least the Government does.
Are our own people not entitled first to any jobs that are going?
It is not so much a question of looking for jobs here as that they imagine that we can, by our own will, find a place for them in other countries.
Why were they brought here under false pretences?
I do not think that that is fair. I do not think they were brought under false pretences.
It was a big show-off to show what we could do.
Was Deputy McQuillan against bringing them here?
Order!
That cock will not fight, either.
It is a pity you do not go down amongst them.
In view of the dangerous potential of the present situation as it exists in Knockalisheen Camp, would the Minister tell us what steps the Government are taking to prevent any serious situation arising out of the present position? This hunger strike will affect those on strike and it will also affect the children and women in the camp. It may also lead to a serious situation in my constituency and, while I fully appreciate the anxiety of the refugees, I feel the Government must take a firm stand with them to show them that they cannot undertake any action which might prejudice the peace of the constituency.
I would like to say a few words on that. It is only fair to give me a chance because Deputy O'Malley said that the matter affected only himself and Deputy Hillery. It affects the Taoiseach and myself just as much.
Would the Deputy allow me to intervene? This is Question Time. If the Deputy puts his point in the form of a question, I shall be prepared to allow him to speak.
Surely I am entitled to answer as one of the Deputies involved? You yourself, a Cheann Comhairle, are involved. These people were allowed in here very graciously and if I were in the Government I would allow them strike if they went on strike. We have a lot of people who have not got rashers and eggs for their breakfast but these people have got them.
We have not passed through the trials which they have.