“Justice Minister Affirms Continuation of Garda Immigration Checks at the Northern Ireland Border”
Dublin: Justice Minister Helen McEntee has affirmed that Garda immigration checks will persist at the Northern Ireland border to safeguard the integrity of the common travel area.
Speaking at the inauguration of the new Legal Aid Board Centre in Dublin, Minister McEntee stressed the importance of upholding security measures to prevent abuse of the common travel area. She emphasised the necessity of inspections to identify individuals exploiting this system.
The Gardaí are collaborating closely with the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), and efforts have also been made to engage with UK authorities. Minister McEntee underscored the Garda’s responsibility to repatriate individuals ineligible to enter Ireland, affirming their commitment to execute this task diligently.
Despite an uptick in applications and appeals within the Legal Aid Board, Minister McEntee assured that decisions would be expedited.
In 2023, a total of 9,918 international protection applications were received, marking a substantial increase from the 6,858 applications in 2022 and the 1,464 applications in 2021. As of March 31, the board has received 2,750 applications, representing a 41% increase compared to the same period last year.
Nick Henderson, Chief Executive of the Irish Refugee Council (IRC), emphasised the need for urgent action to address international protection applicants’ challenges and advocated for enhanced support packages for these individuals.
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