Rwanda plan: Irish government wants to send asylum seekers back to UK

Helen McEntee has disclosed that 80% of recent arrivals to the Republic entered from the UK via the Irish border.

Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) Micheál Martin highlighted the impact of the UK’s Rwanda policy on Ireland.

Legislation to reinstate the UK’s Rwanda policy was enacted on Thursday, aiming to dissuade asylum seekers from crossing the English Channel by potentially sending them to Rwanda. However, no migrants have been deported from the UK yet.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated that flights to implement the policy were expected to commence within 10 to 12 weeks.

In response to these developments, the Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) instructed Helen McEntee to propose amendments to existing laws regarding the designation of safe “third countries” and the return of inadmissible international protection applicants to the UK.

Ms. McEntee emphasized the need for an effective immigration system and announced plans for emergency legislation to facilitate the return of individuals to the UK.

Discussions between Ms. McEntee and UK Home Secretary James Cleverly are scheduled for Monday, addressing concerns over irregular movement within the Common Travel Area (CTA) between Britain and Ireland.

Earlier in the week, Ms. McEntee informed an Oireachtas committee of a rise in asylum seekers crossing the land border between Northern Ireland and the Republic, attributing 80% of total arrivals to this route.

Tánaiste Micheál Martin expressed opposition to the UK’s Rwanda policy, stating that individuals were crossing the border into the Republic out of fear of being sent to Rwanda.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak defended the policy, citing its deterrent effect on illegal migration.

The Home Office reported that 500 migrants crossed the English Channel over two days, contributing to a total of 7,167 arrivals via small boats so far this year.

Mr. Sunak emphasized that illegal migration is a global issue and highlighted the importance of third-country partnerships, similar to the UK-Rwanda agreement.

The Safety of Rwanda Act, aimed at avoiding legal challenges to the policy by designating Rwanda as a safe country, was passed into law on Thursday, though it may still face court challenges.

In the UK, discussions on reducing net migration have been ongoing, with former immigration minister Robert Jenrick advocating for a more restrictive system.

Policing Minister Chris Philp urged migrants against making the dangerous Channel crossing, emphasizing its illegality and risk.