Gardaí are set to be redeployed to frontline duties, including border enforcement, in response to the influx of asylum seekers entering the country via Northern Ireland.
This move comes amid tensions between Ireland and the UK over the issue.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee is moving forward with new legislation aimed at facilitating the deportation of asylum seekers to the UK despite indications from the British government that they will not accept them.
Up to 100 gardaí will be deployed to frontline and border duties to focus on applicants who could have sought status in the UK but are travelling to Ireland instead and on deportation efforts.
A diplomatic standoff has emerged, with UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak resisting Ireland’s attempts to return asylum seekers to the UK, even though such an arrangement was agreed upon after Brexit but has never been implemented.
Ministers view the UK’s stance as “posturing” but acknowledge that suggesting the threat of sending migrants to Rwanda has led to an influx of people leaving the UK for Ireland, inadvertently handing the Conservative Party a pre-election advantage.
Recent documents suggest that the UK has lost contact with thousands of asylum seekers eligible to be sent to Rwanda under Sunak’s controversial new scheme.
Amid these developments, Minister McEntee emphasised the importance of enacting the legislation, providing a legal basis for returning individuals to the UK.
Taoiseach Simon Harris echoed McEntee’s sentiments, stating that the proposed legislation would legally affect the post-Brexit agreement between Ireland and Britain.
He emphasised the need to protect the Common Travel Area and stressed the importance of a close relationship between the two countries.
While acknowledging that 80% of asylum seekers crossing the border, as stated by Minister McEntee, was not based on data. Still, on observations, Harris emphasised the importance of listening to frontline workers and the trends observed by Ireland’s International Protection Office. He described it as “foolish” to disregard these trends.
Amid discussions about the influx of asylum seekers, Tánaiste Micheál Martin admitted that the 80% quoted by ministers was not evidence-based but derived from observations and presentations by officials. This acknowledgement raised questions about the government’s reliance on data in policymaking.
Critics have voiced concerns about the potential impact of the proposed legislation on Ireland’s international reputation and its commitment to refugee protection. Some argue that the move to deport asylum seekers to the UK, a country they may have passed through on their journey, could violate international human rights principles.
The debate underscores broader issues surrounding migration policy, legal frameworks, and international cooperation.
As countries grapple with the complexities of refugee flows, the need for comprehensive and compassionate solutions becomes increasingly urgent.
Balancing national interests with humanitarian obligations remains a formidable challenge for policymakers worldwide.
