Cabinet to discuss emergency laws to allow the Government to send asylum seekers back to UK
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Cabinet is set to discuss new emergency laws next week that would see the Government able to send asylum seekers back to the UK.
The meeting on Tuesday will see the issue discussed alongside amendments to existing law regarding the designation of safe “third countries”, after the Justice Minister Helen McEntee recently said that 80% of asylum applicants come to Ireland over the border with Northern Ireland.
It also comes after Rishi Sunak said that claims that his government’s Rwanda plan is causing an influx of migrants into Ireland show its deterrent effect is working.
“The deterrent is … already having an impact because people are worried about coming here,” the British Prime Minister said.
Earlier this week, Tánaiste Micheál Martin said the UK’s asylum policy is driving migrants in fear of being deported to Rwanda across the border from Northern Ireland into Ireland.
And, on Saturday evening, a spokesperson for the Taoiseach said Simon Harris “doesn’t comment on the migration policies of any other country”, but indicated that changes to Ireland’s existing legislation were in the works.
The “safe countries” list is part of a process for consideration of asylum applications. While asylum seekers may travel from countries deemed safe, there are still cases where applicants can show their personal circumstances mean their country is not safe for them.
A spokesperson for the Taoiseach said: “Ireland has a rules-based system that must always be applied firmly and fairly. In that context, the Taoiseach has asked the Minister for Justice to bring proposals to Cabinet next week to amend existing law regarding the designation of safe ‘third countries’ and allowing the return of inadmissible international protection applicants to the UK.
“This is one of a number of measures we are taking to strengthen our system and ensure that it is strong, effective and agile. Rules and the integrity of our migration system will be to the fore of our actions.” The issue is also set to be discussed between Ms McEntee and her British counterpart on Monday.
Britain plans to send asylum seekers coming to the country on a one-way flight to the east African nation, with the aim of deterring others from crossing the English Channel on small boats.
The legislation ensuring the plan is legally sound, the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Act, cleared its passage through UK parliament this week and was signed into law on Thursday.
In an interview with Sky News’ Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips, which will air in full on Sunday, Mr Sunak was challenged over whether Britain is simply exporting the problem.
Mr Sunak said: “My focus is on the United Kingdom and securing our borders.
“But what that comment illustrates is a couple of things.
“One, that illegal migration is a global challenge, which is why you’re seeing multiple countries talk about doing third country partnerships, looking at novel ways to solve this problem, and I believe will follow where the UK has led.
“But what it also shows, I think, is that the deterrent is, according to your comment, already having an impact because people are worried about coming here and that demonstrates exactly what I’m saying.
“If people come to our country illegally, but know that they won’t be able to stay, they’re much less likely to come, and that’s why the Rwanda scheme is so important.” Downing Street on Friday rebuffed claims the Rwanda plan was already influencing movements into Ireland, saying it was too early to jump to conclusions on its impact. Just a day later, the British Prime Minister has come out to say it is having an impact.
Mr Martin told reporters in Dublin on Friday: “Clearly, we’ve had an increase in the numbers coming into Northern Ireland into the Republic. And it’s fairly obvious that a Rwanda policy, if you’re a person in a given situation in the UK and well, then you don’t want to go to Rwanda — not that anybody has gone yet, I hasten to add.
“So I think it’s a fair comment of mine. There are many other issues — it’s not in any way trying to blame anything or anything like that.”