Simon Harris defends migration comments, saying discussion on issue would help social cohesion

Tánaiste Simon Harris said the fact 80% of asylum applications are rejected in Ireland was what led him to believe migration numbers were too high, and said that fact 'should raise a red flag for Government'.

Simon Harris has defended his earlier comments that migration numbers in Ireland were too high.

The Tánaiste and minister for foreign affairs said a discussion on migration would help social cohesion.

He said migration "is a good thing" for Ireland, and violent disorder in West Dublin in recent weeks was "thuggery and the racism" that he "deplores with every bone in my body".

Mr Harris said when migration was discussed, people "particularly on the left try to shut down that debate" and said it would be "irresponsible" not to discuss it.

"That does a huge disservice to the people of this country, to social cohesion and to inform the policy discussion in Ireland," he said.

"Migration is a legitimate public policy point of consideration in our country and across the European Union."

He said the fact 80% of asylum applications are rejected in Ireland was what led him to believe migration numbers were too high, and said that fact "should raise a red flag for Government".

He also said general migration figures, separate from asylum applications, were also "too high".

"More broadly, are migration numbers too high outside of international protection? I think they are as well. I think they're separate discussions, but I think they are as well.

"If eight of the 10 people who are seeking international protection don't qualify, we have to say, what more can we do?"

Separately, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the Government was sending out a clear message "that there are legal ways to enter Ireland, but in terms of asylum seeking there are limits to what any country can do". 

He said the Government was tightening up and strengthening existing procedures with regard to international protection applications.

However, he also warned against the dangers of creating false narratives, reiterating the need for sensitivity and compassion around such topics.

The Fianna Fáil leader was addressing media at the Longview housing development in Ballyvolane, which is set to deliver a total of more than 700 new homes through a mix of private and social housing builds.

“We are sending a clear message that we have a firm procedure, we have a robust procedure and we want to be fair to people as well,” Mr Martin said. 

“It’s very important that we don’t create any narrative that create challenges and difficulties for people who are living and working in Ireland through the legal system. 

"Unfortunately, we’ve seen assaults and attacks of people that are reprehensible. We need to be careful of that."

However, he said there had to be firm procedures for asylum seekers "and we have tightened up". 

"We have moved the whole area back into the Department of Justice. In addition to that, we are accelerating the assessment of asylum applications. About 80% in the first phase are refused, so clearly they are seeking economic asylum as opposed to political asylum or asylum from war situations."