No. 52 NAI DT S11007A
Department of Industry and Commerce memorandum for Government
'Admission of refugees from the continent'
Dublin, 12 December 1945
- The Minister for Justice has furnished to the Minister for Industry and Commerce a copy of a draft memorandum which he proposes to submit to the Government relative to the admission to this country of refugees from the Continent. The memorandum indicates that the Department of External Affairs is of the opinion that, in view of the plight of millions of displaced persons in Europe, this country should make a contribution towards the relief of suffering by offering to admit, for temporary refuge, a limited number (say 250) of refugees at any time within the next twelve months. It is stated that the majority of the refugees so admitted would probably remain here, but it is suggested that they should be admitted on the understanding that they would be expected to make arrangements, if possible, to go elsewhere in due course. The Minister for Justice is prepared to modify his policy in regard to the admission of aliens so as to meet the suggestion of the Department of External Affairs, but desires to have the matter considered by the Government. The proposal envisages the setting up, under the aegis of the Red Cross Society, of a Co-ordinating Committee to select, subject to the over-riding authority of the Minister for Justice, the persons to be admitted, and to make any necessary arrangements for the accommodation and maintenance of the refugees.
- The Minister for Industry and Commerce is opposed to the proposal to admit any alien refugees to this country unless, in particular cases, such persons have some special technical qualifications or business connections of use to the country. In the Minister's opinion, it would be most undesirable to open the door even to the limited number of refugees suggested, so long as large numbers of Irish citizens remain unemployed. He would point out that at present there are approximately 62,000 men and 8,000 women registered as unemployed, and that these numbers are likely to increase with the return from Great Britain and Northern Ireland of workers who had found temporary employment there during the war years. It may be mentioned that, since the year 1940, travel permits for employment outside the State were issued to 133,584 men and 58,766 women, a large proportion of whom may be expected to seek re-employment here according as their services elsewhere are no longer required. It is significant that, of the persons registered here as unemployed, 2,605 men and 156 women are recorded as having been last employed in Great Britain. Army demobilisation may also be expected to add to the numbers of those looking for work.
- As regards the admission of refugees who may be in the category of employers, as distinct from employees, the Minister would point out that the Control of Manufactures Acts, 1932 and 1934, were enacted in an effort to ensure that industries established here would be controlled by Irish nationals. It is desirable, in his view, that the principle embodied in those Acts should apply also in respect of alien refugees who may wish to establish businesses here.
- Having regard to the foregoing considerations, the Minister for Industry and Commerce would recommend to the Government that adult alien refugees should be admitted to this country only in cases where he is satisfied that:-
- where the refugee proposes to take up employment here, he possesses special qualifications, e.g. that he is required to fill a key position in industry in which his knowledge could be used for the training of an Irish national, to replace him in due course;
- where the person proposes to establish, or engage as a principal in, a business, such person possesses such special qualifications, knowledge, experience or business connections as could be regarded as an asset to the country.
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