26 August 2004

McDowell must clarify status of Irish born children in light of recent deportations, say the Greens

and confirm whether children born before 2003 Supreme Court judgement were among those deported overnight

Green Party Justice spokesperson Ciarán Cuffe TD said today that; "The Green Party is calling on Minister McDowell to clarify whether children born before the 2003 Supreme Court judgement were deported last night. The Green Party also reiterates its call for the Minister to allow the non-national parents of Irish children born before the Supreme Court decision to be allowed to remain. This is a limited group of families and we believe that it is in their best interest to allow them to stay."

ENDS/