Impact of UK’s Rwanda Policy on Ireland
Ireland’s Tánaiste (deputy PM) Micheál Martin noted how the UK’s Rwanda policy was already impacting Ireland, saying that people were “fearful” of staying in the UK and were crossing the border to Ireland.
Ireland’s Efforts to Address the Situation
Ireland has sought to return asylum seekers to the United Kingdom in a bid to stem arrivals through Northern Ireland, reported the British and Irish media on Sunday (Apr 28), amid concerns that Britain’s Rwanda plan would lead to more asylum seekers from the UK.
The Irish Government’s Plan
The Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Simon Harris has asked the country’s justice minister, Helen McEntee, to introduce legislation to the cabinet which would allow Dublin to return inadmissible international protection applicants to the UK.
- Concerns about UK PM Rishi Sunak’s Rwanda plan
- Efforts to protect the integrity of Ireland’s system
- Proposals regarding the designation of safe third countries
Recent Developments and Actions Taken
Earlier this week, McEntee revealed that 80 per cent of recent arrivals to Ireland came from the UK across the Irish border.
She added, “That’s why I’m introducing fast processing…I’ll have emergency legislation at cabinet this week to make sure that we can effectively return people to the UK.”
McEntee also said she would meet with British Home Secretary James Cleverly and other officials during a visit to London, on Monday (Apr 29), to raise these issues.
UK’s Rwanda Policy and Reactions
Ireland’s Tánaiste (deputy PM) Micheál Martin noted how the UK’s Rwanda policy was already impacting Ireland, saying that people were “fearful” of staying in the UK and were crossing the border to the Republic so they would not be sent to the East African country.
In an interview with Sky News, on Sunday, Sunak defended the controversial Rwanda legislation and noted that it is working as people were worried about coming to the UK.
He also noted how illegal migration is a “global challenge” and that “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.”
Violent Clashes in Ireland
Last week, violent clashes erupted during a protest in County Wicklow, Ireland, against proposed refugee accommodation which had led to a broader fear over far-right agitation and threats against politicians.
In a speech, later on Sunday, Harris is expected to say that warning signs around the abuse of public figures should be taken seriously “before the unthinkable happens,” according to the Guardian.
