Justice minister Jim O’Callaghan defends deportation of children

Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan. File picture: Brian Lawless/PA

It would be “untenable” to have an immigration system in which children could not be deported, the Justice Minister has said.

Jim O’Callaghan said it would not be a “good idea” to prevent the deportation of children as it would have a “very significant impact” on the number of people seeking asylum in Ireland.