Taoiseach: Suspending migrants' visa-free travel is a 'wise move'

The Taoiseach denied that the opt-out of the European Council policy is similar to the UK's breaches of international agreements around the Northern Protocol.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: "There was concern within the Department of Justice in terms of that system so we have suspended it for 12 months. We will review it, but it is linked to a recent surge of people applying for international protection." File picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews.ie

Up to five times more refugees are to come to Ireland this year compared to previous years and suspending visa-free travel for migrants is the “wise move", according to Taoiseach Micheál Martin.

He said the suspension of the visa-free travel is "not something that the Government wants to do" but there are concerns over how the system has been working in recent months.