Wexford councillor says those refused asylum need to ‘be promptly and humanely returned’ to their country’

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

A Wexford Sinn Féin councillor has expressed concern over the government’s inability to locate asylum seekers who have been issued deportation notices.

Noting that individuals refused asylum are “frequently remaining in the State with no effective follow-up or enforcement of deportation orders”, Councillor Aoife Rose O’Brien tabled a motion at the November meeting of Wexford County Council (WCC) in which she called on the Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan to reform Ireland’s deportation system.

Calling for the creation of a “fair, efficient, and enforceable” system, Cllr O’Brien also referenced the number of people refused asylum in other EU countries who were subsequently permitted to reapply in Ireland, thus “placing unnecessary pressure on our system”

Asking that WCC approve her motion, Cllr O’Brien said it was time for the creation of “a clear and enforceable policy preventing anyone refused asylum in another EU Member State from applying for asylum in Ireland”, that all persons “issued with deportation orders be promptly and humanely returned to their home country or a safe third country”, and that the Department of Justice establish “proper monitoring and enforcement to ensure deportation orders are fully implemented."

The motion was seconded by Cllr Craig Doyle and then carried by the council.