If any of the more than 80 per cent of asylum seekers it is estimated come into the Republic of Ireland by crossing the border from Northern Ireland, are registered as UK residents then they should be returned to the UK. That's according to Cavan-Monaghan TD Brendan Smith, who told the Joe Finnegan Show that Ireland has "a responsibility to deal with criminality".
Deputy Smith, has been a vociferous supporter of an open border in Ireland in terms of Brexit and cross-community relations, however, he said "Ireland must implement the law of the land" when it comes to illegal immigrants. Pointing to the fact that the UK's Rwanda Bill has been passed through the British Government now, Deputy Smith said this has added to the numbers of asylum seekers who sought refuge in the UK coming to Ireland and gaining access to here at the border.
The TD is still in favour of an open border and acknowledges sovereignty is of paramount importance but, wants the Irish government to put more checks in place to prevent those domiciled in the UK from seeking residency in the Republic: "We've a responsibility to implement the law of the land within our own jurisdiction," Brendan Smith said, "And, if there are people coming into our country illegally then if those people, the 80 per cent that Minister McEntee referred to, if they've been domiciled in Britain then, they're landing on our shores without permission and they should be returned to Britain, so they should. If they've had had status in Britain and are now leaving Britain then they should be returned to Britain. They don't have a right to be in our country if they've been domiciled in a safe country."
