Rishi Sunak, the British Prime Minister, has firmly stated that the UK shall not concede to the reacceptance of asylum seekers who entered the Republic from Britain via Northern Ireland. This assertion comes ahead of the Republic of Ireland’s plan to institute emergency legislative measures to expedite the expulsion of asylum seekers that reached via the north back to Britain.
In a conversation with ITV in Essex, Sunak made it clear that he bore no remorse for his aggressive stance against illegal immigration. He drew parallels with France’s decline to accept refugees that had made their journey from Britain via small boats, originating from French coasts.
Sunak stressed that the UK will resist the reacceptance of refugees entering from the EU via the Republic, considering the EU’s failure to accept the returnees in France, the original point of departure for illegal migrants.
News of Sunak’s statement broke following a confirmed report that Helen McEntee, Minister for Justice, would not be attending a meeting of British Irish Intergovernmental Conference. This decision came in the aftermath of an abrupt meeting cancellation by the British, where McEntee was expected to be present with Home Secretary, James Cleverly. She is known to be disappointed about missing the intergovernmental conference and hopes to reschedule her meeting with the Home Secretary soon. In her absence, senior officials from her team are expected in London to attend the conference. Micheál Martin, the Tánaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister, will solely represent the government at the meeting. The sudden cancellation of a proposed meeting between McEntee and her British equivalent, Cleverly, had happened late on Sunday evening.
A spokesperson for Ms McEntee announced a forthcoming discussion with James Cleverly, the British Home Secretary, due to occur on Monday afternoon in London has been delayed and will be rescheduled soon. As a result of an unavoidable clash in the diary, the Home Office had informed the Irish Department of Justice about the postponement.
The ministers’ meeting, which was originally fixed against the ongoing diplomatic tension between London and Dublin over the high volume of migrants crossing the border, estimated to be over 80% of all international protection applicants by the Department of Justice, has been deferred.
On Sunday, Taoiseach Simon Harris indicated Ireland’s refusal to become a conduit for any other country’s migration challenges, following Mr Sunak’s comments suggesting the increased inflow into Ireland highlighted the success of his government’s contentious strategy to relocate asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing.
Harris reiterated that while all nations have the right to establish their own migration policies, he would not permit any other country’s migration policy to influence the integrity of Ireland’s policies.
There is speculation in Dublin’s political circles that the deferment of the ministers’ talk might be aimed at giving time for tensions to cool down. The ministers had planned to deliberate on how to enhance the functioning of the Common Travel Area and to set measures to control its misuse.
Nevertheless, it has been suggested that comments from the Irish side have not been assisting in easing the situation, while Ireland views Mr Sunak’s statements as unnecessarily provocative. An official from the Dublin government hinted that with the British government only three days away from elections, this development might have political connotations.
As these events unfold, Ms McEntee is finalising legislation enabling the return of asylum seekers who have crossed the border. Once the emergency legislation is passed, allowing for the recommencement of returns, Ireland plans to begin sending asylum seekers back to the UK immediately.
The government is contemplating whether individuals arriving here from the UK could be sent back there or repatriated to their home countries after their applications are processed here. This strategy, sources said, could act as a significant deterrent.
Mr Sunak’s comments have stirred strong reactions among Coalition figures over the weekend, with some believing the UK’s Conservative government is intentionally emphasizing the flow into Ireland for political leverage.
In response to the Irish Government’s proposal to expedite the departures of Nigerian asylum seekers, following a surge in applications, the Irish Refugee Council (IRC) has voiced its apprehension. Many of these applicants are believed to be from the UK. IRC’s CEO, Nick Henderson, highlighted that while the State had the legal right to hasten applications, he believes these cases cannot be dealt with in the same manner as those from countries deemed ‘safe,’ where the process is more streamlined.
Henderson stressed that just because their applications are classified as priority, it does not automatically qualify Nigeria to be a safe country. He also mentioned that the Irish Government had considered tagging Nigeria as a safe country in 2023, though this has not been carried out.
In contrast, a Government representative argued this expedited process was beneficial from a human rights viewpoint as it shortened process time.
However, Henderson insisted that legal aid availability for applicants enduring hurried processing is crucial. He expressed significant concern if this support was not available. As reported by PA, this discussion continues to evolve.