Ireland to return illegal migrants to Britain after Rwanda bill sparks deportation fears

Rwanda: Philp outlines two case studies in defence of deterrent

The Irish Prime Minister is moving to change laws that would allow him to boot migrants flooding over the border to be returned to Britain.

Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris has asked his Justice Minister to change the law regarding the designation of safe third countries, that would allow the return of inadmissible asylum seekers coming from the UK to be returned.

The move comes after it emerged illegal immigrants from Britain are now trying to claim asylum in Ireland, due to fears they could be deported to Rwanda.

Figures show that in the year leading up to April 2023, Ireland saw a 16-year-high arrivals rate, with more than 140,000 immigrants applying.

More than 80 percent of recent asylum seekers have crossed the border into Ireland from the UK.

Simon Harris wants to boot migrants back to Britain (Image: Getty)

Despite deputy Irish PM Micheál Martin criticising the Rwanda policy as a “knee-jerk reaction”, it now appears that the Irish Government is happy to risk sending asylum seekers back to Britain despite the threat of deportation.

While a spokesman for the Taoiseach said they won’t comment on the migration policies of Britain, “he is very clear about the importance of protecting the integrity of the migration system”.

“Ireland has a rules-based system that must always be applied firmly and fairly,' the spokesperson said.

“In that context, the Taoiseach has asked the Minister for Justice to bring proposals to Cabinet next week to amend existing law regarding the designation of safe 'third countries' and allowing the return of inadmissible International Protection applicants to the UK.

"This is one of a number of measures we are taking to strengthen our system and ensure that it is strong, effective and agile. Rules and the integrity of our migration system will be to the fore of our actions.”

Rishi Sunak has now said Ireland's fears are proof Rwanda is already working as a deterrent (Image: Sky News)

Ireland’s justice minister Helen McEntee will now travel to London on Monday for discussions with the UK Government about a returns policy.

On Thursday Mr Martin said that Britain’s hardline immigration policy is already “impacting on Ireland” as migrants as “fearful” of staying in the UK.

He added: “Maybe that’s the impact it was designed to have”.

However Tory MP Marco Longhi suggested that the comments by Ireland’s deputy PM are a major victory for the UK Government.

Mr Longhi, a Red Wall MP who serves on the Home Affairs Select Committee, said: “The fact that asylum seekers are now starting to go elsewhere is clear evidence that the deterrent effect is taking place”.

Yesterday a No. 10 spokesman said it’s “too early to jump to specific conclusions about the impact of the Act and treaty in terms of migrant behaviour".

However speaking to Sky News this morning, Rishi Sunak told Sky News that Ireland’s concerns show that the Rwanda deterrent is “already having an impact”.