The Taoiseach has expressed his willingness to consider reforms to migration that could involve processing asylum seekers in third nations. The proposition came from the European People’s Party (EPP) in which Fine Gael party, a member of Simon Harris is also included. However, Roderic O’Gorman, Minister of Integration argues that the Government’s efforts should primarily be concentrated on domestic immigration initiatives.
The Taoiseach shared his thoughts at a Dublin-based event on Friday morning shortly after a fresh group of homeless asylum seekers appeared in Dublin 4 just hours following the Grand Canal tent removal on Thursday. The temporary accommodation had been cleared by the following Friday night.
The Ballyogan recycling facility was shut down amid ‘health and safety’ worries linked to protests against immigration in the vicinity. When probed on whether Fine Gael backed the EPP’s proposition, Mr. Harris said: “Regarding this, I believe we should maintain a completely open mind because migration challenges are a global issue.
“A significant portion of migration and immigration to Ireland is via secondary movements. Not considering an integrated approach to migration, migration policy and law at a European level seems unreasonable, which then suggests examining the borders of the European Union.”
However, he questions the point at which and where the assessment of people’s application should happen.
“Although the Migration Pact addresses much of this, it isn’t simply a function of the viewpoint of the European People’s Party. This type of solution has already been implemented in the European Union and potentially in Albania and possibly Turkey as well.
“Regardless of the case, the implementation of any such plans must be fully compliant with human rights law and the standards set in place by the European Court of Human Rights.
However, Roderic O’Gorman, Minister for Children and Immigration noted that allowing asylum seekers to be processed outside Ireland is not an appropriate decision. In Stead, the emphasis should be on “strengthening our own system”. He made this point when asked whether he concurred with the Taoiseach’s stance on being open to processing asylum seekers in third-party nations.
The UK has historically promoted the idea that solutions to immigration pressures could be found in other countries, such as through the Rwanda scheme. However, this approach has been unsuccessful and hasn’t resulted in the desired outcomes. Government efforts to date have been centred around bolstering and expanding our ability to expedite application processes.
When questioned about possible third-country solutions, the spokesman didn’t directly negate the idea but reinforced that our concentration should remain on what we have achieved and aim to continue improving – a widened, efficient processing system capable of handling increased volumes seen over the past two years.
A new encampment for homeless asylum seekers sprang up in Dublin 4’s Ballsbridge district shortly after authorities cleared the Grand Canal’s tents this past Thursday. The camp, situated at the intersection of Clyde and Wellington Roads just outside a block of flats, housed nine tents but no occupants were present when inspectors arrived Friday morning. There was clear evidence of people having stayed there overnight, with signs such as sleeping bags, flip-flops, and water bottles left behind.
The camp was just a short distance from the disused St Mary’s nursing home on Pembroke Road, which faced local resistance earlier in the year when proposed as accommodation for families seeking asylum. Approximately 200 individuals, including men, women and children, now live there. By Friday evening the camp had been cleared.
In the wake of a coordinated clearance operation along the Grand Canal, offers of accommodation were extended to 109 homeless asylum seekers on Thursday. This report includes additional information from the PA news agency.