DoJ paper: www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/322610/c5296692-486c-4a09-ba7a-a8e64e1b9b7d.pdf#page=null,
Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín has heavily criticised the National Implementation Plan for the EU Migration and Asylum Pact released by the Department of Justice.
The Meath West TD said:
“The Government have sneaked the EU Migration Implementation Plan through the back door yesterday whilst the Dáil was drowning in dysfunction. This is extraordinary given that the taxpayer will be on the hook for up to €1.2 billion euros.
The document outlines how the government will implement new regulations and procedures for addressing applications, appeals, accommodation and removals, with aspects of the new end-to-end future state asylum model in place as early as possible before June 2026, but falls shockingly short of what we in Aontú have consistently been calling for.
I’m terms of costs, the plan outlines that based on application modelling of a minimum of 10,000 and a maximum of 24,000 applications per annum with an average of 18,000, staffing costs across the relevant areas could be as high as €117m for the first year which is an incredible increase from the current level by €32m.
Setup costs for an anticipated 14,000 state beds are projected to cost €875m, with annual running costs of €725m. Despite accommodation being at the centre of the storm in recent years, there is no reference to community consultation for the siting of this new accommodation which is simply repeating the government’s failed policy.
In terms of new IT systems, a cost hasn’t been projected but the report refers to the need for ‘multi-annual, multi-million euro investment’
Whilst referring to the costs that will be saved from a new streamlined application process that will take a maximum of 9 months, the taxpayer will still be in line to pay between half a billion and 1.2 billion euros depending on applications. This is outrageous.
Those coming over the land border from the North and presenting themselves at a new designated centre will be treated as if they have presented at a border. In other words, there will be no control or deterrent for the thousands of people coming into this state illegally from Britain through the north of Ireland.
Currently the Minister admits that 90% of the IPAS applications are coming from Britain which is a safe country.
A significant source of concern is the reference in the plan that those caught illegally living in the state will be allowed to apply for International Protection. No reference is made to the fact this is currently illegal and contrary to what we have always said – breaking the law in relation to migration must result in deportation.
On the subject of deportations, we were the party that revealed the scale of failure by the government to robustly ensure deportations were enforced and verified. Yet, voluntary returns and self-notification of departure are still in place in this new plan. It is obvious Ministers have learnt nothing if they believe asking those who have been told to leave will first do so, and then tell them about it.
Whilst there is a goal to reduce the time for asylum application processing down to 6 months, the document still outlines that it will take up to 12 weeks to process those who have come to the country with no documentation, false documents or deemed security risk with a further 3 months to actually return. That is simply unacceptable.
Furthermore, whilst we recognise and respect the human rights of applicants, the government will introduce a new regulation which will afford all applicants a right to a counsellor or legal adviser at all stages of their application. The plan specifically outlines that the Legal Aid Board will require ‘a significant scaling up of services through increased staff and resourcing’. The plan will fall down in this practical issue. They human resources are simply not there to achieve this objective.
All things considered, Aontú were right to oppose our participation in this pact that will, by the governments own admission in this document have a financial burden for taxpayers and fail to address fundamental concerns that the public has on our ability to cope with large numbers of people coming here and the robustness of our processes and the application of our laws.
This National Implementation Plan is totally farcical and Ministers need to go back to the drawing board.
Our 10-point migration plan which is centred around a border in the Irish Sea for people, a rigorous implementing of current law, enforced deportations and consultation with the public on accommodation is the only plan that offers practical and workable solutions to the entire crisis in our migration system created by this government and three can expect to be reminded of this when any new legislation is brought forward.”
CRÍOCH
