Ireland to press on with building centres to process asylum applications, says Taoiseach

Simon Harris also defended his decision to retain Justice Minister Helen McEntee in her portfolio. File photo: Brian Lawless/PA

Ireland will press on with plans to build reception centres to process asylum applications within 12 weeks, the Taoiseach says.

The EU Migration Pact, agreed on Wednesday, allows the Government to process asylum applications in that timeframe. Speaking in Brussels on Thursday, Taoiseach Simon Harris said that the plan would be pursued.