The Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, defended immigration checks on the border in Ireland, emphasizing the need to protect the Common Travel Area while preventing abuse. She highlighted the importance of identifying and addressing any misuse of the system through collaboration with the PSNI and UK counterparts.
Addressing the rise in asylum applications, Minister McEntee stressed the need for a faster and more efficient international protection system to ensure timely decisions and support for those with legitimate claims. Funding was allocated to the Legal Aid Board to meet the growing demand for services.
Concerns were raised by the Irish Refugee Council’s CEO, Nick Henderson, regarding the accommodation crisis faced by international protection applicants, urging an urgent government response to provide adequate support and communication.
While acknowledging the complexity of immigration issues, Henderson cautioned against exploiting these concerns for political gains, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rights and entitlements of all individuals seeking protection.