by Lorraine Lally
As a tea lover the
misuse and abuse of a mug which is a common household item to send a message was
upsetting because these items will survive even if the Party does not get
elected. This mug was not Ukip either which another worrying point is.
To quote Diane Abbott a
member of the Labour Party “This shameful mug is an embarrassment. But real
problem is that immigration controls are one of our 5 pledges at all”. I was severely distressed and sickened
almost to the point of not wanting a cuppa tea at the United Kingdom Labour
Party selling red mugs with a pledge.
They are being purchased for 4 pounds, can you imagine buying a mug
stating “controls on immigration” there were no mugs stating “Increase
Disability Supports” or “Promote Child Welfare” or “Report Domestic Violence”.
The United Kingdom is our closest neighbour and the discourse that is present
there is equally present in other EU States such as Spain. Barcelona has a serious issue with illegal
immigrants like most European Countries.
And on a recent trip it was clear the ghettoization that had occurred in
the City. I hate seeming the use of high rise buildings with large amounts of
impoverished migrants who are all surviving in unacceptable conditions often in
accommodation that is not appropriate.
When talking to a
member of staff in the hotel about racism he stated that there was a symbol on
the entry to some nightclubs as blacks/Arabs and other foreigners are not
welcome. The person telling me this was of African descent with a Spanish
mother.
I asked him if it
bothered him and he reckoned that it was easier to keep the peace and stay away
from where you are not wanted. I
mentioned segregation and he did not understand I stated to keep people
separate like apartheid. He told me there were no apartheid just cultural and
religious issues. He told me that Spain was struggling and that it would
improve. What was going to improve?
As a tourist in
Barcelona you are harassed on the beach by individuals trying to sell you
drinks and sun glasses none of the individuals are natives to the country with
broken English and equally broken Spanish. I wonder if they are trafficked. Are
they struggling to pay off a debt? Are they sending the entire money home to
their families? Are they depressed at the thought of their entrapment? You could sense the desperation which was a
little unnerving for someone looking to lie in the sun on the beach which is
what I really wanted.
The situation is bad in
Spain through the eyes of a tourist and on the last day we saw the individuals
on the beach mainly African men fleeing toward us at the top of the pier there
was an immigration control police car.
On returning to Ireland I read an article that made me smile when I saw
that Spain will allow illegal immigrants access to public health care.
In Ireland illegal
immigrants can access public health care and are provided with medical cards
based on need and income. This situation
will change and we need to be aware of all the changes within the EU to ensure
that we protect the most vulnerable people who are trapped. They are often
stuck in a foreign country what we need to realise is that country maybe our
country.
I once met a woman who
was over 8 months pregnant and had not seen a single doctor out of fear. I
reassured her that she could give birth in Ireland and that the staff would
take good care of her. I was lucky to know a midwife who reassured her over the
phone that her welfare and that of the baby were the only concern of the
hospital. She asked my friend to confirm they would not take the baby from her
as she sat before me wearing slippers her feet were so swollen. She told me
that she had been preparing to give birth at home. I told her about Noel Browne
and the Mother and Child Scheme and explained that we have a proud history of
providing good care to pregnant women .We need to make sure that we make good
policy decisions and that our changes going forward in relation to health look
at international best practice and not the budget costs involved.
________________
Spain to Allow illegal Immigrants access to free public
healthcare
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/spain/11509227/Spain-to-allow-illegal-immigrants-to-access-free-public-healthcare.html
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