Immigration Bill ‘may violate international law’

CIVIL liberties groups have warned that the Government’s proposed Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill may violate international law if asylum-seekers are summarily refused entry to the country.

Sources within the Justice Department confirmed the new bill will give authorities the right to bypass existing procedures and summarily detain and deport people entering the country illegally. The bill will also force all non-EU nationals to carry ID cards, restrict welfare payments, forbid illegal immigrants from getting married in Ireland and place a legal obligation on all foreigners without residency permits to leave the State.

However, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) and the Irish Refugee Council (IRC) warned the Government that, under international law, asylum- seekers’ rights are protected.