Furious Ireland demands UK takes back illegal migrants after influx sparked by Rwanda bill

 

Furious Ireland demands UK takes back illegal migrants after influx sparked by Rwanda bill

 

The Irish premier has demanded his Justice Minister change the law to return asylum seekers from Britain.

 

By CHRISTIAN CALGIE, Senior Political Correspondent

08:42, Sun, Apr 28, 2024 | UPDATED: 08:58, Sun, Apr 28, 2024

https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1893218/Ireland-migrants-return-Britain-Rwanda

 

The Irish Prime Minister has demanded to be allowed to return illegal migrants who have headed over the border from Britain.

 

Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris has asked his Justice Minister to change the law regarding the designation of safe third countries, that would allow the return of inadmissible asylum seekers coming from the UK.

 

The move comes after it emerged illegal immigrants from Britain are now trying to claim asylum in Ireland, due to fears they could be deported to Rwanda.

 

Figures show that in the year leading up to April 2023, Ireland saw a 16-year-high arrivals rate, with more than 140,000 immigrants applying.

 

More than 80 percent of recent asylum seekers have crossed the border into Ireland from the UK.

 

Despite deputy Irish PM Micheál Martin criticising the Rwanda policy as a “knee-jerk reaction”, it now appears that the Irish Government is happy to risk sending asylum seekers back to Britain even though they could face deportation.

 

While a spokesman for the Taoiseach said they won’t comment on the migration policies of Britain, “he is very clear about the importance of protecting the integrity of the migration system”.

 

“Ireland has a rules-based system that must always be applied firmly and fairly,' the spokesperson said.

 

“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.”