Dublin: Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has reiterated that 78% of people seeking international protection in Ireland arrive through the United Kingdom, renewing calls for a bilateral return agreement between Ireland and the UK.
The issue has been raised repeatedly by government ministers and political leaders in recent months and has become a key topic in Ireland’s immigration debate.
Last year, the government designated the UK as a safe third country, allowing authorities to refuse asylum applications from individuals who have a sufficient connection to the UK. However, while the designation provides a legal basis for refusing certain claims, Ireland currently has no bilateral agreement with the UK that would allow unsuccessful applicants to be returned there.
The government has been seeking closer cooperation with Britain on data sharing, border security and migration management, but a formal returns agreement has yet to be reached.
Most Applicants Travelling Through the UK
Speaking about recent trends, Minister O’Callaghan said officials have consistently found that the majority of asylum applicants had travelled through the UK before arriving in Ireland.
He said many applicants were carrying documents linked to the UK, including UK driving licences, which indicated previous residence or travel there.
The minister added that approximately 90% of asylum seekers enter Ireland through ports and airports, and preliminary figures from the past two-and-a-half weeks show that 78% of applicants had travelled via the UK before seeking international protection in Ireland.
New Immigration Powers
The minister also said that new EU migration and asylum rules, which came into effect on 12 June, have strengthened immigration controls by giving officials broader powers to inspect baggage and personal belongings at ports of entry.
According to the government, these enhanced checks have made it easier to identify applicants who previously travelled through the UK and have contributed to a decline in asylum applications.
Need for UK Return Agreement
Minister O’Callaghan said the new legislation makes it easier to transfer applicants to other EU member states where appropriate. However, he stressed that Ireland remains unable to return asylum applicants to the UK because no bilateral returns agreement currently exists.
He said such an agreement is essential but acknowledged that Ireland cannot compel the UK to enter into one.
Discussions with UK Home Secretary
The minister revealed that he recently discussed the issue directly with the UK Home Secretary following the unrest in Belfast last month.
Referring to one case, he said an individual had arrived at Dublin Airport from Luxembourg, travelled to Belfast on the same day and subsequently sought asylum there.
Minister O’Callaghan said the incident demonstrated the need for stronger cooperation between Ireland and the UK on migration management and reinforced his argument for establishing a formal returns agreement between the two countries.
Irish Samachar English