Michelle O’Neill, First Minister of Sinn Féin, has stated that she has not been contacted by the government regarding the significant numbers of individuals crossing the Border to seek asylum. Her comments were made during her party’s election campaign kick-off in Dublin for upcoming local, European and Limerick Mayoral races.
She voiced her frustration towards the Irish government’s lack of organisation in dealing with this critical issue. She specifically noted the silence from Helen McEntee, the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste. This came after a revelation from Ms McEntee last week to the Oireachtas justice committee that she believes majority, about 80%, of the asylum seekers in Ireland arrive through Northern Ireland’s border.
O’Neill suggested that the suitable place to approach the subject would be a forthcoming meeting between Ms McEntee and James Cleverly, her UK counterpart, or the upcoming British-Irish intergovernmental council, advocating for a comprehensive, well-thought solution that respects human rights.
Simultaneously, Mary Lou McDonald, Sinn Féin leader, clarified the party’s stance on immigration policy, rejecting the concept of ‘open borders’. She opposes Taoiseach Simon Harris’s comments expressing concern over the party’s use of this term. McDonald emphasised that the party is not endorsing ‘open borders’ but is aiming for an efficient system that balances fairness and human rights.
McDonald said a Sinn Féin government would offer improved management of migration, but further details of the plan remain unclear. The party is contesting elections with 335 candidates in every Local Electoral Area and six candidates across all European Parliament constituencies.
“She asserted that the most prevalent issue encountered by her nominees at constituents’ doors remained to be housing. “We are ensnared by a persistent housing crisis,” she proclaimed, indicating that a change in governing power is currently required. Ms McDonald rebuked demonstrations outside of ministers’ residences, stating a requirement to acknowledge ‘common decency.’ She added that despite disagreements, the majority of those in politics display decency, civility, and respect.”