Irish Legislation to Redesignate UK as “Safe Country” for Asylum Seekers
LONDON — In a bold move, the Irish government has approved a plan to draft new legislation that would designate the UK as a “safe country” to which asylum seekers can be returned.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee brought the plan to Cabinet and it was collectively approved by Irish government ministers.
Last week, McEntee stated that over 80% of recent asylum claims in Ireland were from individuals who entered the country by crossing the border with Northern Ireland.
However, the British government has asserted its authority to decide who it accepts into the UK.
Concerns have been raised by the Irish government regarding the UK’s plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda, as this may be incentivizing more refugees to seek asylum in Ireland.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin emphasized the importance of providing sanctuary within the European Union rather than facing deportation to Rwanda.
McEntee’s proposal aims to address a recent Irish court ruling that found Ireland’s designation of the UK as a safe third country for returning asylum seekers to be in violation of EU law due to the UK’s controversial Rwanda policy.
The legislation brought forward by McEntee seeks to close the loophole created by the High Court judgement and redesignate the UK as a safe country for the purpose of returns.
Despite conflicting statements from Downing Street, McEntee remains confident in the existing post-Brexit agreement with the UK for returning asylum seekers.
Opposition leader Mary Lou McDonald criticized the government for lacking data to support claims about asylum seekers in Ireland and accused them of incompetence.
Understanding the Common Travel Area
The Common Travel Area (CTA) is a special travel zone that encompasses the UK, Republic of Ireland, Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands.
Under the CTA, UK and Irish citizens have the freedom to travel between the countries and access public services without immigration restrictions.
While CTA rights do not apply to migrants, efforts are being made to ensure the protection of the open border on the island of Ireland.
Ensuring Firm but Fair Immigration Policies
Justice Minister McEntee is committed to implementing measures to strengthen Ireland’s immigration system while maintaining fairness.
She has announced the release of 100 Gardaí officers from desk duties to focus on immigration enforcement, emphasizing the importance of upholding open borders.
These officers will not be stationed to physically police the border with Northern Ireland, but will support deportation efforts and other aspects of immigration enforcement.
