Saving expenses on asylum seekers

UNCHR Ireland is quite correct as reported in the Irish Examiner (Jun 20) in calling for what is called the ” single procedure” for asylum and protection applications.

This is intended to speed up the process. UNCHR wants it for the sake of the asylum seeker; we want it for the sake of Irish citizens. The longer asylum seekers are here, the greater the expense and the greater the probability they will never be removed.

This was to be addressed in the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill. This is now in the hands of the fourth minister for justice since its inception, which is a disgrace. Minister Shatter needs to address this with urgency, or to separately implement the procedure and certain other urgent matters, such as the legislative tweaking required before the gardaí can resume seeking IDs from non-nationals.