Ireland will not provide ‘loopholes’ for other countries’ migration issues, says Taoiseach

Earlier this week Justice Minister Helen McEntee claimed before the Oireachtas Justice Committee that more than 80pc of migrants entering Ireland are coming from the UK via the Border.

Mr Harris was speaking following a service in Co Monaghan to mark the 50th anniversary of the death of Fine Gael Senator Billy Fox, who was the only member of the Oireachtas to be murdered during the Troubles.

He said other countries’ policies on migration will not be allowed have an impact on those of Ireland.

“Every country is entitled to have its own migration policy, but I certainly don't intend to allow anybody else's migration policy affects the integrity of our own one.

“This country will not in any way, shape or form provide a loophole for anybody else’s migration challenges. That's very clear, other countries can decide how they wish to advance migration.

Today's News in 90 Seconds - April 28th

“From an Irish perspective, we intend to have a firm, rules-based system where rules are in place, where rules are enforced and where rules are seen to be enforced."

There was an agreement in place between Ireland and the UK for the return of migrants previously which was the subject of a High Court decision in March.

It ruled that Ireland’s designation of the UK as a “safe third country” for returning asylum seekers, in the context of Britain’s Rwanda plan, is contrary to EU law.

Ms McEntee will bring a proposal before Cabinet on Tuesday for a new agreement on the return of migrants between Ireland and the UK.

Meanwhile Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has defended her party’s rhetoric on “open borders”, arguing that it has long been her position on immigration.

She was speaking at the launch of the party’s local, European and Limerick mayoral election campaign in Dublin.

Ms McDonald claimed that there has been “a lot of misinformation” around migration and accused the Government of “scrambling” on the issue.

“Sinn Féin is not for open borders, we are for a system that is fair, human rights compliant, efficient,” she said on Sunday.

Also speaking in Dublin on Sunday, Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill called for a “thought-out” response to people who seek asylum in Ireland after travelling from the UK.

Sinn Féin vice president Ms O’Neill said neither Simon Harris, Micheal Martin nor Helen McEntee had yet been in contact with her about planned legislation on asylum seekers arriving in Ireland from the UK.

“I am the First Minister in the north and I have yet to hear from the Taoiseach or the Tánaiste or the Justice Minister,” she said.

“To me, that highlights, maybe even underlines, how disorganised they are in dealing with this issue.

“Policy responsibility for migration and immigration sits with the British government, I’m aware that Helen McEntee is to meet (Home Secretary) James Cleverly over the course of the next 24-36 hours.

“There’s also a British-Irish intergovernmental conference this week, this is the forum in which these issues need to be addressed.

“This is the forum in which there should be a solution coming out the other end, but a thought-out solution, an actually considered solution, a human rights compliant solution, and we look forward to (that) over the next couple of days.”