Expedite the Legislation designating the UK as Safe Now, urges Cowen
Published on: 03 May 2024
Barry Cowen TD, and Fianna Fáil European Election Candidate in the Midlands North West, has called on the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee to expedite the legislation to re-designate the UK as a safe third country through the Dáil with haste.
Commenting on the matter, Deputy Cowen said: “A High Court judgement ruled Ireland’s designation of the UK as a 'safe third country' for returning asylum seekers was contrary to EU law on March 22. Nearly six weeks on, we have achieved little to move this on.
“The Justice Minister was given approval at Cabinet this week, but the solution to this issue has been clear to the Department for more than a month. Nothing has been done until now and an already dire situation has been allowed to intensify.
“We need to expedite this legislation through the Dáil within the next week, there is no reason that cannot be achieved. The Minister must ensure that this happens."
Deputy Cowen added: "Once this legislation is enacted and in place, it then must be enforced. For too long, we have immigration laws in place that are simply not being enforced. This cannot continue.
“On my European election campaign trail, every day someone questions why we are not deporting illegal immigrants and, honestly, I have no answer for them. The laws are in place to do this. I do not understand why these laws are not being enforced. A common sense approach is needed. If an applicants appeal for asylum is unsuccessful they should be deported to the country which they entered from without haste.
“If eight out of 10 immigrants coming into the country are via the land border, which is being reported, then this issue must be dealt with swiftly. To date, pace has been lacking. I am calling on the Minister to enact the legislation and then enforce it to the fullest extent," concluded Deputy Cowen.
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