Ireland suspends visa-free travel for refugees from 20 European countries

Minister McEntee said the decision was not “taken lightly” by the Government, saying: “We are committed to upholding our international and EU obligations towards asylum seekers (international protection applicants) and refugees”

Ireland is to temporarily suspend visa-free travel for refugees coming into the country from 20 "safe" European countries, it was agreed today.

The Government will suspend the operation of the Council of Europe Agreement on the Abolition of Visas for Refugees for a period of 12 months.