EU Migration Pact vote not in Ireland’s best interests - Tully SF
The Dáil vote on the EU Migration Pact was the wrong decision, a local Sinn Fein TD has said.
Deputy Pauline Tully criticised the decision by government TDs and Independents to adopt the Pact wholesale, despite Sinn Féin warning it is not in Ireland’s best interests.
She said Ireland needs an immigration system that is fair, efficient and enforced, and that adopting the EU Migration Pact will not deliver these goals.
“We are in a unique position in that we share a common travel area with a non-EU country. We need to ensure that we have flexibility. If we are tied in entirely to the EU system, we reduce our ability to respond and legislate in a bilateral way with Britain,” argued Deputy Tully.
She contends that only two elements of this pact that are in Ireland’s interest. They relate to returning international protection applicants to the first country in which they made a claim; and accessing the fingerprint database.
The Cavan-Monaghan constituency government TDs - Niamh Smyth (FF), Brendan Smith (FF) and Heather Humphreys (FG) all backed the pact in the Dáil vote.
Deputy Tully also highlighted how several human rights organisations had highlighted major human rights concerns regarding the EU Migration Pact.
“This was the wrong decision. Ireland must have the flexibility to create and manage a migration system that is fair, efficient and enforced. Handing wholesale control over migration to Europe is against Ireland’s interests.
“That as a State we would essentially give up our ability to take key decisions to respond to changes to migration would open us up to the possibility of infringement proceedings and fines for issues that can and should be addressed nationally,” she said.
“This results in a loss of sovereignty for Ireland, as well as restricting the State’s ability to act and respond quickly. There are deep cracks in the system that are leading to inhumane conditions for the vulnerable and creating discord within our communities.”