The Taoiseach has said he has no interest in Ireland “being used as a pawn in British politics”, and called on the UK to honour its agreements on migration.
Speaking in the Dáil, Simon Harris said he “is proud to lead a country which honours its agreements” and expects “our nearest neighbour to do the same”.
He also claimed that there has been “a very significant increase in deportations” recently, which has seen “173 people depart this State under various mechanisms up to 26 April”.
“I have no interest at all in this country being used as a pawn in British politics,” Mr Harris added.
He was responding to Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín who said that the Minister of Justice is failing to establish basic information about asylum seekers, calling this “a flashing neon light of incompetency”.
“Shockingly we have this crisis on our hands,” the deputy said, “largely because the Minister for Justice does not know what is happening in the department”.
He detailed various statistics he sought from the department relating to asylum seekers and which they were unable to provide, including the number of people against whom deportation orders have been issued and who have left the State.
Minister Helen McEntee’s failings have led to an increase in the numbers entering Ireland and a breakdown with relations with Britain, Mr Tóibín claimed.
The Taoiseach rejected out of hand the “hypothesis” and said migration numbers were not caused by any minister for justice.
“If you can’t measure what is happening, you can’t manage the situation,” Mr Tóibín responded.
Earlier this week, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he is “not interested” in pursuing a deal with the Government on returning asylum seekers from Ireland to the UK.
Yesterday, Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald said the Government has displayed incompetence and offered a “gift to the Tories” in its approach to migration and returns to Britain.
