Premier Simon Harris — © EPA-EFE
Ireland urgently wants to introduce new legislation so that the country can send migrants back to the United Kingdom. Due to the now approved British plans to send migrants without a right of residence who cannot return to their home country to Rwanda, more migrants are moving from the United Kingdom to Ireland.
According to the Irish government, 80 percent of the recent influx of undocumented foreigners can be traced to the Northern Ireland-Ireland border.
Irish public broadcaster RTE now quotes a spokesperson for Taoiseach Prime Minister Simon Harris. He has asked his Minister of Justice to draw up proposals to amend the current regulations on so-called safe third countries and to enable the return to the United Kingdom of asylum seekers who cannot be admitted.
The spokesperson added that the Prime Minister does not comment on another country’s migration policy, although he also underlines the importance of protecting Ireland’s migration system.
The British broadcaster BBC does refer to the Irish Deputy Prime Minister Micheál Martin. He stated that the British ‘Rwanda policy’ is already having an impact on Ireland.
Monday on the agenda
Justice Minister Helen McEntee stated on RTE on Saturday that she will discuss the return of migrants to the United Kingdom with the British Home Secretary, James Cleverly, during a visit to London on Monday.
The controversial British policy allowing returns to Rwanda became law on Thursday. It should discourage asylum seekers who want to cross the Channel from Europe.
Ireland itself has had to deal with increasing tensions over the reception of migrants in recent months. There has been a significant increase in protests. Incidents have already occurred.