ieExplains: Asylum seekers and the Northern Ireland border

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has secured Cabinet approval for legislative proposals that will amend the International Protection Act 2015.

The Government has approved the drafting of emergency legislation aimed at closing a legal gap that means asylum seekers cannot be sent back to Britain if they cross the border with the North.

The necessity for the law was brought about by a High Court ruling in March, but intense spotlight was thrown on it after comments by politicians on both sides of the Irish Sea last week.