asked the Minister for Justice if he will state the reasons for refusing to apply the generally accepted convention of political asylum, irrespective of political views, to a Polish fisherman who was reported to have been returned to his ship against his wishes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Political Asylum for Polish Fisherman.
29.
The seaman in question deserted his ship and, in accordance with the provisions of the Aliens Order, 1946, he was put back on board. His statement that he was seeking "political asylum" was not accepted as there was no evidence whatsoever to sustain it.
I may add that I do not accept the contention in the Deputy's question that there is a generally accepted convention that "political asylum" will be granted to any alien who requests it. There is no such convention, written or unwritten.
In view of the fact that this small country in its troubled history has often needed the protection of political asylum in the case of our refugees from oppression, does the Minister not agree that we should be particularly careful where any question of political asylum arises? Further, in view of the fact that there is such flexibility of interpretation as to what constitutes treason and that it is considered to be a capital crime, both in countries in the East and the West, that he should be very slow to decide that a person should be refused political asylum, no matter whether he comes from the East or the West? This is a very important principle. The political questions are relatively unimportant, but the question of political asylum is of supreme importance.
If the Deputy will read my reply, he will see that we were particularly careful. Not only did the aliens officer concerned examine this case personally, but I examined it personally afterwards.
Could the Minister state if there was evidence available to prove that the statement of the seaman in question was untrustworthy when he was seeking asylum?
We were satisfied that the statement that he was seeking political asylum was not correct.
Was there evidence available that his statement was not to be relied upon?
Yes.
In a case like this, is there no higher authority than an aliens officer whom an intending political refugee can approach?
They examine these things at all times.
Would the Minister state——
I call the next question.