Ireland to Return Asylum Seekers to UK Amid Refugee Crisis

Ireland Plans Emergency Measures to Stem Arrivals from Northern Ireland

The Irish government is planning to return asylum seekers to the UK under new emergency laws, in an effort to curb the influx of arrivals through Northern Ireland. This move comes amid concerns that Rishi Sunak’s controversial Rwanda plan is rerouting asylum seekers from Britain to Ireland.

The Taoiseach’s Request and Rationale

The Taoiseach, Simon Harris, has requested the Justice Minister, Helen McEntee, to bring proposals to the cabinet next week. These proposals would allow the return of inadmissible international protection applicants to the UK. This decision follows a claim by Sunak that the Conservative party’s deterrence policy is working and the revelation that 80% of recent asylum seekers to Ireland arrived via the land border with Northern Ireland.

A spokesperson for Harris emphasised the need to protect the integrity of Ireland’s migration system, stating, “Ireland has a rules-based system that must always be applied firmly and fairly. 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.”

Strengthening Border Controls and Collaboration with UK

McEntee has pledged to reinforce Ireland’s border controls and discuss the return of refugees with James Cleverly and other British officials during her visit to London. “That’s why I’m introducing fast processing, that’s why I’ll have emergency legislation at cabinet this week to make sure that we can effectively return people to the UK, and that’s why I’ll be meeting with the home secretary to raise these issues on Monday,” she told RTÉ.

Previous Designation of UK as ‘Safe Third Country’

Ireland had previously designated the UK a “safe third country” to which asylum seekers could be returned. However, last month, the Irish High Court ruled that this practice breached EU law, impeding further returns.

Sunak’s Claim of Deterrence Impact

In an interview with Sky News on Sunday, Sunak claimed that the Rwanda legislation, signed into law last week, was already having an impact, as people were worried about coming to the UK. “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,” he said.

Rising Tensions and Anti-Immigrant Sentiment

Ireland’s refugee crisis has fuelled tensions and anti-immigrant sentiment across the country. Last week, a protest in County Wicklow over proposed refugee accommodation led to violent clashes with police, who used shields, sprays, and arrested six people. Police reported that rocks and other missiles were thrown, and they recovered an axe from the scene.

In recent years, there have been protests and arson attacks on proposed refugee accommodation centres around Ireland, raising anxiety over far-right agitation and threats against politicians.

Taoiseach’s Warning on Abuse of Public Figures

In a speech to be delivered later on Sunday, the Taoiseach warned about the dangers of abuse towards public figures. “We know how this story ends,” Harris will say. “We have had too many warnings, and we need to take them seriously before the unthinkable happens.”

Influx of Refugees and Housing Crisis

Ireland has taken in more than 100,000 refugees, about three-quarters from Ukraine. However, the country is facing an acute housing crisis that has driven up rents and homelessness, further fuelling anti-immigrant sentiment. In November, a riot wrecked parts of central Dublin, highlighting the escalating tensions surrounding the refugee crisis.

Balancing Humanitarian Obligations and Domestic Concerns

As Ireland grapples with the influx of refugees and the strain on its resources, the government faces the challenge of balancing its humanitarian obligations with domestic concerns over housing, social cohesion, and public sentiment. The proposed emergency measures to return asylum seekers to the UK reflect the administration’s efforts to address these pressing issues and maintain the integrity of the country’s migration system.