Toughening UK asylum rules could affect relations with Ireland, justice minister says

"Attempts to toughen up asylum rules in the UK could have significant implications for relations with Ireland, Dublin's justice minister has said, amid concerns that this could increase migration flows to Ireland. More than 80% of people who use irregular routes to Ireland originate from Great Britain, travelling to Belfast by plane or boat and then by road to Dublin to make asylum claims, the justice department has said."

"Consequently, I will closely monitor the changes proposed by the UK government and will respond to those proposals having considered them fully and discussed them with government colleagues, he added. On Monday, the UK government unveiled controversial proposals for the biggest changes to migration in 40 years, including plans to make it easier to remove people with no right to be in the country."

"Nevertheless, an open border with Northern Ireland has existed for more than 100 years and there is no appetite to introduce checks on the movement of people. Speaking after the conference in Dublin, Ireland's deputy prime minister, Simon Harris, said the invisible borders of the common travel area (CTA) were never intended to play a role in terms of asylum seekers."

Attempts to toughen UK asylum rules could increase migration flows into Ireland. Over 80% of irregular migrants to Ireland originate in Great Britain, often flying to Belfast then traveling by road to Dublin to claim asylum. Jim O'Callaghan pledged to ensure Ireland is not seen as more favourable than the UK and said he will closely monitor and respond to proposed UK changes after consulting colleagues. The UK unveiled major migration reforms aimed at easier removals of people without a right to remain. Ireland has seen rising irregular migration and political backlash, yet there is no appetite to reintroduce border checks within the common travel area.

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