Sinn Féin would make immigration process 'more efficient', says McDonald

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald: 'I believe that what we need is a system that is fair, that is efficient, and that's enforced.' Picture: Oliver McVeigh/PA Wire

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has said the way to reduce the number of people seeking asylum in Ireland is to tackle hunger, conflict, and climate change at a global level.

In what appeared to be a new approach taken by the party on the issue of immigration, Ms McDonald would not say if her party would be stricter on immigration or if the number of deportations would increase under a Sinn Féin government.

But Ms McDonald moved to make clear how her party would treat Ukrainians once the EU temporary protection order ends in March next year.

She said: “I think those Ukrainians who are at work and who wish to stay and remain working here need to apply for work permits and they need to know that that will be the pathway forward for them.

“Others who are here for whom it is not safe to return [to Ukraine] will go into the standard asylum system."

Sinn Féin has been accused by Government TDs of flip-flopping on their position of immigration and not making clear how they would deal with the matter of migration.

When asked what measures Sinn Féin would take to reduce the number of people coming into the country, Ms McDonald told RTÉ’s This Week programme: “What will reduce the numbers of refugees and the very strong migration patterns globally is dealing with hunger, dealing with conflict, and dealing with climate change.”

When asked if immigration polcy would become stricter under a Sinn Féin government, she said she would make the process “more efficient".

She said: “I believe that what we need is a system that is fair, that is efficient, and that's enforced.

“Then enforcement means that in the event that an application is unsuccessful, when the person concerned leaves the jurisdiction, that's what the rulebook says.

“And those rules have to be applied in a balanced and a fair and transparent way and always in a way that meets human rights standards.” 

She said the State needs to have a mechanism to know that those who have been declined asylum have left the country.

Justice Minister Helen McEntee. Picture: PA

Justice Minister Helen McEntee told a Sunday newspaper that there will be an increase in deportations. She said around half of the 857 people issued with deportation orders are not officially accounted for leaving the State. However, she said she has been assured by gardaí there are no signs of the people claiming social welfare and they have likely left the country.

Ms McDonald also condemned the burning of buildings which have been earmarked for accommodation for asylum seekers.

She said it is a “despicable criminal act” and said the gardaí need to establish what happened and who was responsible, and bring them before the courts.

She criticised the Government for a lack of consultation, describing it as an “absolute mess” demonstrating “utter disrespect” for communities.

She said the lack of communication is allowing some people to build concern and anxiety within communities.

Meanwhile, Ms McDonald would not say if she would remove Garda Commissioner Drew Harris from his post if she became Taoiseach while Mr Harris was still in the role. She called for Mr Harris to resign following the riots in Dublin in November.