Ireland could explore offshore deportation hubs for failed asylum seekers, says Taoiseach

Micheál Martin says Ireland should not rule out deportation hubs outside the EU, as Coalition tensions rise over migration policy

Taoiseach Micheal Martin (left) and Tanaiste Simon Harris, step from Farmleigh House in Dublin. Picture: PA

The Government should not “rule out” sending failed asylum seekers to deportation hubs outside the European Union, the Taoiseach has said.

Micheál Martin said migration was a broader issue across Europe, and called for discussions between Ireland and Britain to return people who cross over the border.

“These are issues we will examine, and we’re not ruling anything out,” Mr Martin told RTÉ Radio One.

He gave his backing to Tánaiste Simon Harris who, on Wednesday, said the Government should reconsider its immigration policies in a “very serious way”.

Mr Harris said Ireland’s migration numbers were “too high”.

The Fine Gael leader said there were individuals who arrive in Ireland, are denied asylum and then take too long to leave the country.

The Taoiseach said between 70% and 80% of applicants for international protection are refused on the first appeal stage.

“That’s significant, because it really points to that what you’re looking at here is economic migration primarily,” Mr Martin said.

He said people should not come to Ireland if they “know deep down” they will have their applications refused.

“I think the message has gone out. If you don’t qualify and you know you’re not going to qualify, don’t bother coming,” Mr Martin said.

He added justice minister Jim O’Callaghan was looking at “every aspect” of migration policy, while adding the appeals process needed to be sped up.

“We are appointing more and recruiting more to accelerate the appeals process to make sure people know procedures are strict here, they’re firm, they’re fair,” the Taoiseach said.

Mr Martin said he believed the “vast majority” of asylum seekers were coming over the border with the North.

“These are issues we can discuss with the British government in terms of returns and so on,” Mr Martin said.

While he has backed Mr Harris’s comments, there has been some frustration within Fianna Fáil about the Fine Gael leader's remarks.

One Fianna Fáil minister said Mr Harris’s comments had been seeking to undermine the Government and Taoiseach, calling them “corrosive”.

“Jim O’Callaghan has done more in nine months on migration than Simon Harris and Fine Gael have done in 14 years,” they said.

“Micheál Martin never spent his time as Tánaiste undermining the Taoiseach.”

Another Fianna Fáil source was critical of Mr Harris’s comments, describing them as “not helpful”.

“[He was] mute on it throughout his time in cabinet and as Taoiseach when inward immigration actually peaked, and the moment Fianna Fáil takes the portfolio and actually starts making progress he decides to undermine it as soon as the road gets rocky for him,” the source said.

“Justice and immigration is becoming a differentiator between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael and they mustn’t like it.”

They added people would “see through” Mr Harris’s comments if progress was made by Mr O’Callaghan.

Labour MEP Aodhan Ó Ríordáin called Mr Harris's remarks deeply irresponsible, disgraceful and extremely dangerous. 

“Political leaders have a responsibility to choose their words carefully,” he said. “When the Tánaiste says ‘numbers are too high’, it sends a message that the Government itself is buying into divisive rhetoric. It is reckless, harmful, and beneath the office he holds.”