Any lingering suspicions that the government was carrying out a clear crackdown on new defectors have now been firmly dispelled.
We can today confirm that up to 5,000 people could be deported under plans to cut processing times and add Botswana and Algeria to the list of safe countries of origin, according to estimates outlined by Justice Minister Helen McEntee. I would like to report that there is a gender.
It was also revealed that the government was considering adding Nigeria and Pakistan to the list of safe countries, but ultimately concluded that these countries did not meet all the criteria.
“We’re trying to remove people from the system here that shouldn’t be there, who are taking up space for people who really need protection,” McEntee said. Not only will unsuccessful asylum seekers be asked to leave, but there’s also a good chance they’ll be put on a plane chartered by McEntee.
Conor Gallagher reports that the Government will begin operating chartered flights exclusively for the deportation of people who have failed their asylum claims.
The first flight, using a commercial aircraft hired by the Department of Justice, is expected to take place later this year.
As Gallagher astutely pointed out, “The move comes as the government seeks to project a tougher image on immigration ahead of local and European elections in June. Public Sentiment by Ipsos B&A Immigration has been at the top of the list of issues capturing voters’ attention over the past month, according to tracking polls.
The immigration issue also led to an “I told you so” moment in the Dail last night. As Sarah Burns reports, Fianna Fail backbenchers had a lot to say on the subject. Carlow and Kilkenny TD John McGuinness said if the Government had listened to “the many backbenchers who have raised this issue time and time again in party meetings in Parliament”, we would not be here today. He said there would not have been.
Cork East TD James O’Connor said the level of violence, intimidation and arson should be “flashing red flags” within the cabinet. The same issue was raised at the Fine Gael Assembly party meeting, where Governor Leo Varadkar told TDs and senators that a Garda investigation was underway into recent arson incidents at proposed accommodation and other buildings. However, detectives said they expected an arrest to be made soon.
Immigration issues were also a hot topic in the committee room.
Cormac McQueen reports that Integration Minister Roderick O’Gorman told the Children’s Commissioner that the Department expects to spend around €1.9 billion on accommodation and other support for Ukrainian refugees and asylum seekers in 2024. He said that it has been done.
Taoiseach heads to Brussels for EU Council summit
Prime Minister Leo Varadkar will visit Brussels tonight as European leaders push further towards agreeing a €50 billion aid package for Ukraine. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán blocked any compromise in December, even though he had walked out of a key vote earlier that day to allow Ukraine’s accession talks to begin. There are increasing signs that European leaders are tired of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s tactics, with the Financial Times reporting earlier this week that the EU was “explicitly targeting Hungary’s economic weaknesses in order to hurt it.” “This could put the currency at risk and cause a collapse in investor confidence.” Jobs and growth will be hurt if Budapest refuses to lift its veto on aid to Kiev. ” Things are about to turn dramatic once again. Follow irishtimes.com for all the latest updates.
Ireland’s decision on whether to back genocide case against Israel is ‘months away’
Sarah Burns and Cormac McQuinn report on a motion tabled by Sinn Féin in Parliament last night, calling for the South African government to join in the genocide against Israel.
The Tánaiste and Foreign Minister Michael Martin rejected the opposition’s calls, saying they would “consider whether to intervene in the right way and at the right time.”
Earlier, Sinn Féin foreign affairs spokesperson Matt Carthy said informing the International Court of Justice of Ireland’s intention to join the proceedings would send a “huge message to the world”.
At this stage, it is thought that South Africa will not be able to file any substantive legal action until the summer. A decision on whether Ireland will intervene is unlikely to be taken until South Africa submits a document, known as a memorial document, detailing the substantive events, so the issue is likely to continue for some time yet.
best lead
Why does a late-night agreement to restore power-sharing look like a movie script? Source story with wire tape.
Miriam Lord writes about how Leo Varadkar recalled his life in his late twenties during the Dáil exchange.
A judge rejected a shareholder challenge that Elon Musk’s $55 billion compensation was excessive.
Irish unity is “within touching distance” as Stormont’s nationalist first minister prepares to take office for the first time, according to Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald.
British Chancellor Rishi Sunak slammed Leo Varadkar on Tuesday over Ireland’s legal challenge to the English Heritage Act, during a phone call between the two to discuss the situation at Stormont.
Hamas officials said they had received a new proposal for a three-phase ceasefire.
playbook
dale alien
Proceedings will begin at 9:10 a.m. with Current Affairs, followed by private members business in which people before the Coalition of Interests will introduce a bill to decriminalize small amounts of cannabis for personal use.
Leader’s Questions will begin at noon, followed by policy or legal questions.
Mr Leo Varadkar will take questions from 1.05pm.
Government business begins shortly after 2 p.m., with the Social Welfare Act and the Civil Code, as well as the Research and Innovation Bill on the list. Just after 6pm, the Police, Public Order and Community Safety Bill 2023 is signed into law.
The Dale will adjourn just after 11:15 p.m.
Read the full schedule here.
senado
Commencement matters will begin at 10:30 a.m. and work orders will begin one hour later. At 12:45 p.m., the senator will debate his Digital Services Bill 2023. At 3:00 p.m., the Senate will consider his Criminal Justice Involvement in Childhood Offending Act of 2023.
The bill would create a specific crime for the first time when an adult forces, coerces, induces or induces a child to participate in criminal activity.
Private Member Business will open at 5pm with motions on respite care for family caregivers and services for children with disabilities. This is expected to be tabled by Fine Gael senators before the Senad adjourns at 7pm.
Click here for a detailed schedule.
Committee
By contrast, it will be a relatively quiet day in the committee room.
At 9.30am, the Select Committee on Enterprise, Trade and Employment will discuss the revised estimates, or budget, with Minister for Enterprise Simon Coveney. At the same time, the Health Select Committee, which is in the same situation, will of course be hearing from Health Minister Stephen Donnelly about the budget.
At the same time; the Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development will carry out pre-legislative scrutiny of the general program of the Social Welfare (Payroll-related Social Insurance and Jobseeker Payroll-Related Benefits Provisions) Bill 2024. Under the new Government scheme outlined in the Bill, the law will mean that people with a long work history will be paid an attractive jobseeker’s benefit if they lose their job.
For those who have made PRSI contributions for at least five years, the top tax rate is up to €450 or 60% of their previous income. For her first three months he will be paid a fee of 450 euros.
A second tax rate of up to €375, or 55 percent of your previous income, then applies. Payment will be made for the next 3 months. Finally, for the last three months his third tax rate will be up to 300 euros, or 50% of his previous income.
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