Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris firmly declared that Ireland won’t bear the brunt of solving immigration woes for other nations, in light of a surge in asylum seekers crossing from the UK through Northern Ireland. The PM’s remarks come amid tensions with Britain, though he didn’t directly name the UK.
British PM Rishi Sunak rebutted claims linking UK’s resettlement plans for migrants to Ireland’s refugee influx, asserting that immigration flows are shaped by each country’s policies. In response, Ireland clarified its stance, affirming that its immigration policies are crafted for its own needs, without targeting any specific nation.
A scheduled meeting between Ireland’s Justice Minister and UK’s Home Secretary has been postponed, raising uncertainties about resolving the issue. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland subtly criticized Ireland’s handling of the matter, citing a lack of consultation with their government.
Legislation to challenge a recent court ruling on Ireland designating the UK as a safe third country will be tabled in the Cabinet, aiming to align policies with EU standards. However, Britain opposes the notion of receiving refugees returned via Ireland.
Social Security Minister Heather Humphreys cautioned against criticizing the open border policy, emphasizing its importance for Northern Ireland’s stability post-Brexit. The government aims to uphold robust immigration policies under the EU Migration Agreement while preserving the unique open border arrangement.