Government criticised for ‘all or nothing’ approach to EU Migration Pact

TDs will vote this week on whether Ireland will ‘opt in’ to the pact, which includes enhanced screening and security checks and faster processing of asylum applications.

The measures also include a greater focus on efficient returns for unsuccessful applicants and a mechanism that allows countries to either make a financial contribution or agree to relocate asylum seekers from others under particular pressures.

Statements on the issue will continue tomorrow, ahead of a vote on the seven separate elements of the package.

Galway TD Catherine Connolly was among those who have questioned why just a single vote will take be held and not separate votes for each individual measure.

During the debate this evening, Taoiseach Simon Harris said Ireland is a “compassionate” country “shaped by migration” and criticised those who seek to “sow division” with disinformation.

“Over the course of this debate, you may well hear many claims that have little regard to fact. So, let me be clear, there are no unvetted migrants in this country, there is no implantation of men in Ireland and Ireland is most certainly not full,” he said.

“Crime does not increase in locations where asylum seekers are living. These are myths – but they’re worse than that – they’re more than myths, they are designed to sow division. They are designed to spread fear.”

He added that such “untruths” have contributed to the the gathering of protestors outside politicians homes and “have helped subject some of our families to intimidation”.

“It is this hate that is poisoning our people across the country to believe that a migrant is the enemy. It needs to be called out, because it is this radicalisation that has the potential to spin and spill into violence and it needs to end.”

He said there is a need to differentiate “between the extremes, between the far-rights, between the so-called patriots with their flag waving” and those with genuine questions and concerns.

He said no European country can single-handedly manage immigration and emphasised that Ireland is a “compassionate” country whose communities have been welcoming of asylum seekers in the vast majority of cases.

Many opposition politicians, including Sinn Féin TDs, favour opting into some parts of the pact and not others.

Sinn Féin party leader Mary Lou McDonald said that the question of Irish “sovereignty” is of prime concern and that the wholesale opting into the pact “ties the hands of future governments”.

Public Expenditure minister Paschal Donohoe defended the need to pool efforts with other countries and “share our sovereignty”, adding that the challenges faced are “too big” for any country to face alone.

Meanwhile, Labour leader Ivana Bacik said it is not plausible that Ireland can “go it alone” when migration is a global issue, adding that the party agrees “in principle” with a cross-country approach.

She said the current provisions for international protection applicants are “untenable” and that a “more humane approach” than the pact should be considered.

Ms Bacik said the party is concerned aspects of the proposed border procedure would result in a “deterioration” of rights and protections for vulnerable asylum seekers.

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns also said there should not be an “all or nothing” approach to the act and criticised the Government for “rushing” the legislation.

She said there are “very serious human rights concerns” around the border procedures, the “potential for detention camps” and the impact on the rights of asylum seekers.

Ms Cairns said “necessary” measures – including the minimum standards for accommodation centres and the Eurodac database – are grouped in with others that have the potential to cause “misery” for vulnerable people.

Meanwhile, independent Mattie McGrath accused the Government of “tactically” waiting to hold the debate until after the local and European elections, while Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae said “the people don’t trust the Government when it comes to migration”.