The United Kingdom is standing firm on its decision not to accept asylum seekers who cross into Ireland until the European Union (EU) agrees to accept returns to France.
This stance comes amidst escalating tensions between Dublin and Westminster over plans by the Irish government to enable the deportation of asylum seekers who cross from Northern Ireland back to the UK.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee revealed that over 80% of recent arrivals in Ireland have entered via the land border with Northern Ireland.
Meanwhile, Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary, Micheal Martin, expressed concerns that the threat of deportation to Rwanda is driving migrants to seek refuge in Ireland rather than the UK.
Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris has vowed that Ireland will not provide a loophole for migration challenges and emphasized the critical need for close collaboration between the British and Irish governments.
However, a UK government source reiterated that asylum returns from Ireland to the UK would only be considered if France agrees to reciprocate with boats crossing the Channel.
The number of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats during the first four months of the year has reached its highest-ever level, adding pressure to the ongoing migration debate.
Additionally, a report by The Guardian suggests that a significant Home Office operation to detain migrants across the UK for deportation to Rwanda has commenced ahead of schedule. However, this has not been officially verified.
Ministers from the UK and Ireland are scheduled to meet in London on Monday, including discussions between Irish Justice Minister Helen McEntee and UK Home Secretary James Cleverly.
However, a planned meeting between Cleverly and McEntee was postponed late on Sunday night.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak defended the UK’s Rwanda deportation policy, stating that it was already proving effective as a deterrent.
He emphasized that illegal migration is a global challenge and suggested that other countries may follow the UK’s lead in exploring third-country partnerships to address the issue.
Pressure is mounting on Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris to address migration concerns in Ireland, which have sparked anti-immigrant protests in recent months.
Harris has tasked his justice minister with proposing amendments to existing laws regarding safe “third countries” and the return of inadmissible international protection applicants to the UK.
Emergency legislation is being drafted in response to an Irish High Court ruling that found Ireland’s designation of the UK as a “safe third country” for returning asylum seekers, in the context of the Rwanda plan, contrary to EU law.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee aims to seek government approval to rapidly draft this legislation to enable returns to the UK once enacted.
