Dáil votes to opt into EU Asylum and Migration Pact

The pact 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.

During the debate on the topic last week, 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.”

Many opposition politicians, including Sinn Féin TDs, favoured 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.

The Government had argued that Ireland must look across the European Union for solutions to rising levels of migration rather than isolate itself.

In March, Minister for Justice Helen McEntee announced that Ireland would opt into the pact.

It will also require a substantial increase in the number of staff processing applications, the building of new accommodation centres, enhanced border security and an increase in the collection of fingerprints.

Ms McEntee welcomed the Dáil vote and said: “This is the best way forward for Ireland and Europe to deal with migration issues together, with faster processing of applications, stronger border security, and faster returns.”

“The pact will take time to implement but in Ireland we’re not waiting and have already introduced improvements to our system.

“We must protect those who need it, where they are fleeing war or persecution, but also be able to easily return people with no entitlement to be here.”