Ireland gets tough on asylum seekers after UK overhauls refugee rules

Mohan Sinha
20 Nov 2025, 16:11 GMT+10

Ireland will not be seen as “more favourable” to asylum seekers than the UK, according to Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan
His comments followed the UK home secretary's announcement of significant changes aimed at making Britain less attractive to asylum seekers
O’Callaghan said the UK’s new measures could affect the movement of asylum seekers between the two countries

DUBLIN, Ireland: Ireland will not be seen as "more favourable" to asylum seekers than the UK, according to Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan. His comments followed the UK home secretary's announcement of significant changes aimed at making Britain less attractive to asylum seekers.

O'Callaghan said the UK's new measures could affect the movement of asylum seekers between the two countries. In a statement on November 17, he said he was committed to ensuring Ireland is not viewed as an easier option than the UK for people seeking asylum. He added that he would closely study the UK's proposals and respond after discussing them with government colleagues.

He plans to publish a new International Protection Bill later this year to reform Ireland's asylum system, and said it could include "any necessary changes" prompted by the UK's new policies. One of the UK's measures will remove the automatic right to family reunion for refugees under core protection.

O'Callaghan said he had already ordered a review of Ireland's family reunification rules before the UK's announcement, and that proposals would be brought to Cabinet soon.

In a separate development, Tánaiste Simon Harris said the UK and Irish governments must use the current "window of opportunity" to deliver "truth, accountability and, where possible, justice" for victims of the Troubles. Speaking at the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference in Dublin on November 17, Harris thanked the UK government for quickly moving to amend the 2023 Legacy Act.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Belfast Bulletin.

More Information

Northern Ireland

Section

Ireland gets tough on asylum seekers after UK overhauls refugee rules

DUBLIN, Ireland: Ireland will not be seen as more favourable to asylum seekers than the UK, according to Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan....

Chinese sex offender jailed for life by UK court

LONDON, U.K.: A Chinese national described by London police as one of the most prolific sex offenders they have ever investigated has...

Irish investigators probe horror crash that killed 5 young adults

CO LOUTH, Ireland - A major Garda investigation is continuing after five young adults were killed in a two-vehicle collision near Dundalk,...

Judge rules BHP responsible in Brazil’s worst environmental tragedy

LONDON, U.K.: A London court has placed global mining giant BHP Group on the hook for Brazil's deadliest environmental catastrophe,...

Ex-LIV Golf player first to earn PGA Tour card back

(Photo credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images) Laurie Canter became the first former LIV Golf player to re-earn his PGA Tour card when...

Mansoor bin Mohammed crowns Matt Fitzpatrick DP World Tour Championship winner as Rory McIlroy secures seventh Race to Dubai title

DUBAI, 16th November, 2025 (WAM) -- H.H. Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Sports Council, crowned...

International

Section