Irish justice minister defends proposal to tighten migration rules

New proposals would also affect people who are in Ireland on employment visas, as well as those seeking family reunification

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - The Irish justice minister on Thursday defended proposals seeking changes to the migration system amid criticism over disproportionately targeting asylum seekers.

Speaking to Ireland's public broadcaster RTE, Jim O'Callaghan said that citizenship change "applies to everyone, whether they've obtained residency in Ireland through an asylum application or, indeed, if they're working here on work permits."

His remarks came after the government announced its proposal on Wednesday that would bring tougher rules on migration that also affect people who are in Ireland on employment visas, as well as those seeking family reunification.

"Maybe you think it's unfair on the person who's applying for reunification, but I also have to take into account the interests of the Irish public in terms of the cost of bringing people into the state," he noted.

The proposed changes include a five-year wait for those who are granted refugee status before they can apply for citizenship, while those seeking full citizenship would be given preferential treatment if they were working, and people would have to wait longer before other family members can join them in Ireland.

According to the government, the population is rising at a rate of 1.5% each year, seven times the EU average, and it must make decisions on migration that take account of this "extraordinary growth."

"It would be a denial of reality if I were to say that people seeking asylum isn't a more complicated and contentious issue, that other people can come here," said O'Callaghan.

He went on to say that if people are coming to Ireland claiming asylum, they have obligations.

Doras, an independent, non-profit, non-governmental group, is among the rights groups criticizing the government proposals, labeling them "unnecessary."

"The government is essentially making it more difficult for people who escaped war and persecution to do that, to settle in Ireland," John Lannon, chief executive of the group, was quoted by the RTE as saying.

He added: "If you look at the proposed accommodation charges, they're going to push people who are already struggling to get by deeper into poverty."

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