Why is the Government targeting refugee families?

Since 2022, just 2,530 immediate family members have been allowed to come to Ireland through international protection family reunification

When legal routes are delayed or blocked, families do not stop trying to reunite. They look for other ways, including irregular and dangerous journeys. People are injured, drowned, trafficked, exploited or killed on these routes. These are the predictable consequences of closing off safe and legal pathways.

The Government is preparing legislation that would impose a three-year ban on family reunification for people granted refugee status, followed by a requirement they demonstrate financial self-sufficiency. 

Justice minister Jim O'Callaghan has framed this as a necessary tightening of the system and as bringing Ireland into line with European counterparts. Both claims deserve closer examination, because neither stands up particularly well.