Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris has called on Justice Minister Helen McEntee to bring legislation to the cabinet that would allow asylum seekers to be returned to the UK. This request was made after it was revealed that 80% of recent arrivals in the Republic of Ireland had come from the UK, crossing the Irish border. Tánaiste Micheál Martin says that the UK’s Rwanda policy is already having an effect in Ireland.
The UK’s Rwanda policy, which aims to reduce the number of crossings of the English Channel by sending some asylum seekers to the central African country, became law on Thursday. However, no migrants have been sent yet, although the UK government had hoped to begin flights by the spring, and now hopes to do so within 10-12 weeks.
McEntee has stated that the increase in migration towards Ireland has a variety of reasons, but the UK’s Brexit decision is a factor. McEntee has said that “My focus as minister for justice is making sure that we have an effective immigration structure and system. That’s why I’m introducing fast processing,” and that her plans include emergency legislation to ensure that people can be effectively returned to the UK. She will also be meeting with the UK’s Home Secretary James Cleverly on Monday to discuss these issues.
A spokesman for the Irish Department of Justice has told BBC NI that the issue of irregular movement in the Common Travel Area (CTA) between the UK and Ireland would be discussed at the ministers’ meeting
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