Taoiseach defends decision to join EU’s migration pact

Taoiseach Simon Harris has defended the Government’s decision to join the EU’s migration pact which sets new regulations to deal with asylum seekers.

In the Dáil, he said that Ireland would “disproportionately benefit” because most people coming to Ireland come from “second countries” in the European Union.

He told Aontú TD Peadar Tóibín that that it was “fanciful in the extreme” to suggest that Ireland could go it alone on migration.

“Let’s not go down the Brexit route,” he said.

Deputy Tóibín said under the pact Ireland must accept migration or contribute to the cost.

He criticised the Taoiseach for not stating how much the cost would be and said it was “disgraceful”.

“This is your first blank cheque,” he said.

Last week, MEPs approved the revamped migration system that the EU promises would reduce irregular arrivals.

It aims to cut the times for security and asylum procedures at external EU borders and increase returns to reduce unwanted immigration from the Middle East and Africa, a high priority on the bloc’s agenda.

The Minister for Justice also defended Ireland’s decision to enter the new EU migration pact, describing it as a “real game changer”.

Ms McEntee said the pact means that the Irish State will not be dealing with the issue on its own but will be using a connected, collaborative system.