In the Spotlight
For another week, the focus remained on the field of immigration politics. The Republic witnessed an influx of asylum seekers from Northern Ireland raising concerns, with Justice Minister Helen McEntee announcing that over 80% entered from Northern Ireland. Consequently, last Tuesday the Cabinet greenlit a proposal aimed at ensuring such migrants could be repatriated to the UK. However, this met with a snag as British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak adamantly refused to receive them. On Wednesday, a significant operation was set in motion to relocate asylum seekers who were staying in tents near Dublin’s International Protection Office on Mount Street. Approximately 285 men were able to secure alternative accommodation at Citywest and Crooksling. Journalists Kitty Holland and Jennifer Bray highlighted that on the following day, around 100 homeless asylum seekers that arrived at the Mount Street office in the hope of finding shelter, were commanded to vacate the area instantly after being informed they wouldn’t be accommodated. High-ranking officials convened on the same day at a Cabinet subcommittee meeting, where potential alterations to planning regulations concerning modular builds were discussed. Such changes could allow for hasty construction to accommodate international protection applicants and Ukrainian refugees. The problem of housing asylum seekers is far from resolved.
Clashing Titans
Downing Street and Merrion Street have been at loggerheads in a very public diplomatic stumble. Post-Brexit, the Irish and British governmental relations have not been in an optimum state and this relationship was exacerbated by the introduction of the British government’s Legacy Act. The Act, which came into effect recently, has closed down historical inquests linked to the Troubles. The Irish government opposes this law and has reported the issue to the European Court of Human Rights. Rishi Sunak and his Conservative party found themselves amid controversy when Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister, Micheál Martin, connected the rise in asylum seekers from the North to the contentious British plans of relocating immigrants to Rwanda. When Ireland suggested a legal alteration to facilitate the return of asylum seekers from the UK, Sunak rejected the idea and guaranteed no such returns would be allowed. He later pounced on the news that more police would be stationed near the border, demanding that Ireland respect commitments to avoid a hard border and refrain from introducing checkpoints.
The headline of Thursday’s Daily Telegraph, which leans towards the Tory party, declared, “Ireland dispatches law enforcement to frontier over immigrant squabble.” This notion of setting up checkpoints on the border was swiftly debunked by the Irish administration. As relayed by Marie O’Halloran, Prime Minister Martin also dismissed allegations by Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon in the Dáil, accusing the administration’s chaotic migration strategy as a PR boon to the Tory party for their local and general campaign. Today’s discussion pages feature Stephen Collins arguing that the rift over the Irish Sea benefits Mr Sunak, who visibly stood up to the EU and Ireland ahead of the local English elections on Thursday. Similarly, Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris ramping up his rhetoric suits his agenda to demonstrate action in response to the sudden influx of asylum seekers.
As for what is being referred to as the “Banana Skin,” the ongoing turmoil at the Irish broadcaster, RTÉ, is likely to be under the spotlight again. The expected release next week of three governmental reports concerning the broadcaster’s leadership, personnel protocols, and financial status is anticipated. The “Ban a Skin”, however, is not the report itself, but the government’s subsequent decision on funding public service broadcasting in the future. The scandals surrounding RTÉ, such as undisclosed payments to former Late Late Show host Ryan Tubridy revealed last June, have influenced a reduction in the sale of the €160 TV licence fee. Some governmental figures, like Media Minister Catherine Martin, display an inclination towards direct budgetary support for public service broadcasting, whereas others, such as Finance Minister Michael McGrath and Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe, seem reluctant. The potential introduction of a new broadcast charge could be contentious in run-up to an election, especially if it surpasses the current €160 licence fee. The government therefore faces difficulties in navigating this situation in the weeks to come.
“Winners and Losers” would seem to capture this political tug-of-war perfectly.
Despite Mr Sunak’s expectations that conflict with Ireland could bolster his standing in Thursday’s municipal election, the outcome appears very different. The Conservatives are expected to suffer extensive losses of council seats throughout England, with the Labour Party, led by Keir Starmer, slated to emerge as the undeniable victors. How significant their triumph will be remains unanswered; however, the Tories appear to be faltering. Pollsters indicate the Conservative party could face a defeat of around 500 seats. As of 11.30 am today, Labour has captured 337 seats (an increase of 54) out of 107 councils, while the Tories have barely managed 121 seats, a 128-seat drop. Mr Sunak’s party also trails behind the Liberal Democrats who have gained 123 seats, a 21 seat increase. BBC continues to monitor the results. Mr Starmer has celebrated an early victory in the Blackpool South byelection, terming it “seismic”. More outcomes will be revealed throughout the day, and the Labour Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, will likely discover his re-election fate tomorrow.
On Saturday, the “Big Read” section of the newspaper will spotlight Political Editor Pat Leahy’s analysis of Sinn Féin and its decline in recent polling figures ahead of the upcoming local and European elections. Jack Horgan-Jones reviews the past week’s immigration-related incidents, including the Dublin-London disagreement and the government’s reaction to one of its most daunting challenges.
During this week’s Inside Politics podcast episode, the team engaged in a spirited discussion about the forthcoming local and European elections, but the results are challenging to forecast due to varying inconclusive polls. Jennifer Bray deserves recognition for making bold predictions, the only among us to do so.
In her words, Fine Gael’s local election result might not be as exceptional as hoped, with around a 40-seat drop predicted.