Daniel Hannan: Irish refusal to work with the UK cuts off its best bet – joining the Rwanda scheme

The tents used by asylum-seekers near the Office of International Protection on Mount Street which were recently removed. Photo: PA

Daniel Hannan
© Telegraph.co.uk

In 2017, when Britain began its disengagement talks with the EU, Ireland laid down two inviolable principles. First, no Border: not so much as a matchstick to mark where the EU’s customs territory began. Second, no direct talks between London and Dublin. If the Brits had anything to say, they should talk to Michel Barnier.

Funny how things work out. Over the past week, as asylum claims have surged, Irish politicians have begun to clamour for a bilateral returns arrangement with Britain. They say that 80pc of claimants are crossing from Northern Ireland to escape the threat of deportation to Rwanda. And they want those migrants turned back at the… well, the Border.