Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has clarified that the asylum policy suggested by the European People’s Party (EPP) will not mirror the UK’s Rwanda policy. The EPP, a coalition of centre-right political groups including Fine Gael, advocates an approach involving arrangements with countries outside the EU for processing asylum applications.
According to the proposed policy, applicants for asylum could be moved to a safe, third country for processing. Speaking prior to his attendance at an EPP conference in Romania, Varadkar was opposed to accusations that this proposal may fuel anti-immigrant sentiment or support far-right ideals.
Reinforcing that the policy’s alignment with the Geneva conventions and the European Convention on Human Rights is paramount, Varadkar stated that the proposed system would sit in a different space to the UK’s Rwanda approach. He cited examples like the recent Italian agreement with Albania whereby those seeking asylum could be processed there.
According to Varadkar, it is crucial to draw a line between legal and illegal migrants. He asserted that Ireland needs to be tougher on people attempting to enter the country illegally for economic reasons, especially given the existence of a work permit system.
Backing the proposal were Fine Gael MEPs, with Sean Kelly MEP stating that the agreement will address European migration “for the first time”. According to him, regulated migration is preferable to irregular immigration, and it is essential to avoid a situation where those who do not qualify for asylum replace those who are more deserving or worse off.
MEP Deirdre Clune stated that individuals applying for asylum need to be treated with consistency and impartiality. She continued to stress that not everyone has the possibility to migrate to Europe because of financial matters. She encourages to tune into our Inside Politics Podcast for the most recent examinations and discussions. Subscribe for instant notifications so you can receive top news, evaluations, and thoughts straight to your mobile phone. Keep informed by tuning into The Irish Times on WhatsApp.