Irish laws are becoming stricter for asylum seekers

Muhammad Sakhawat Hossain (Sakhawat Liton)

Over the past few years, the Irish government and people have been facing various problems including housing and employment due to the rapid increase in the number of asylum seekers in Ireland. For this reason, the Irish government is going to enact tougher laws to control asylum seekers coming from different countries of the world, both legally and illegally.

Recently, Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan proposed some new rules in the cabinet in this regard. On Tuesday it was reported that several changes will be made to his proposed law, which will make the application process for asylum seekers more difficult. This proposal has many limitations that were not there before.

Between April 2023 and April 2024, about 150,000 asylum seekers have applied for asylum. The proposals were tabled by Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan in the Cabinet as part of a plan to bring the number of applications down to a manageable level and to take swift and effective action.

The changes proposed by Jim O'Callaghan are:

* A new screening process for people entering Ireland will be introduced to determine whether they pose a threat to national security or public order.

* Border procedures will be introduced to ensure that those who make false statements or are considered a security threat can be swiftly deported.

* A three-month time limit will be imposed on each application process from start to finish. This means that all applications must be completed within three months. During this time, those who are successful will be granted asylum, while those who are unsuccessful will not be granted asylum.

* The use of hearings will be limited, which can currently take up to a year and require legal interpreters.

* A new state agency will be responsible for the appeals process, which will grant permission for appeals on a case-by-case basis. The agency's asylum officers will be given the power to deport asylum seekers at any time without the permission of the Justice Minister.

* If these proposed rules come into force, it will be much harder for asylum seekers whose applications are rejected to challenge the decision.

The aim of the new law is to make the asylum process for migrants faster, more regulated and more effective, said Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan.

The minister's proposal, after receiving approval from the cabinet, will have to be approved by a vote in parliament. The government wants to pass this law before the European Union's migration agreement comes into force, so that their activities may become easier and faster.