New EU immigration pact starts next month
A new EU immigration pact to reform entry into the bloc starts next month, writes Ken Murray.
The Government is finalising the introduction of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, which comes into effect on June 12 to provide for faster processing, including a “border procedure” for applicants to have all decisions and appeals concluded within three months.
A Department of Justice spokesman said: “A new State body will have responsibility for appeals and our removal and deportations process will be faster and less bureaucratic.
“Ultimately, improved, faster processing will result in decreasing annual costs by reducing the time an applicant remains in the system.”
However, the EU Migration Pact has been strongly criticised by Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín, who says the rules around entry to the country are flawed and will do nothing to prevent large numbers of migrants entering during a housing crisis and a shortage of school places, hospital beds and prison overcrowding.
He said: “The EU Migration Pact is a big mistake. It locks the country into numbers and costs in terms of immigration.
“It reduces our own ability to make decisions in relation to the number of people coming to the country.
“We believe in a stricter system, a compassionate one that still allows people to enter the country if they are fleeing a war or violence, but there’s no doubt that there’s too much pressure on public services particularly in relation to the supply of house.”
A Department of Justice spokesman said: “The maximum duration of the asylum border procedure shall be 12 weeks from when the application is registered until the applicant receives their final decision (including the outcome of any appeal they may make).
“If they are not granted protection, they no longer have a right to remain in the State and are not allowed to so remain.”
The maximum period for remaining in the State will be six months.
However, Mr Tóibín said that while the rules in the pact apply equally to EU states, the Irish situation is unique because the State has an open border with the North which, as part of the UK, is no longer an EU member.
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín says the rules around entry to the country are flawed. Photo Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie
The TD added: “The EU Migration Pact does not account for the fact that 80% of the people coming into this country are doing so via the UK and the North.
“There is nothing in the pact to address this flaw.
“The Irish Government needs to negotiate with the government in London to create a notional border to monitor those who enter the island via the North.”
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