The Taoiseach could be adopting a harder response to immigration after a new poll claimed his Government is “soft” on the issue.

That’s according to Irish Daily Mail Political Correspondent Craig Hughes following the release of a new poll on immigration policy. 

According to the Daily Mail poll, 74% want a tougher approach to immigration, with current policy being too “lenient”. 

Mr Hughes explained older people are most likely to criticise Government policy at 83%, while 63% of those under 35 were critical. 

He told The Pat Kenny Show these opinions stem from Government policy. 

“The Government has really been scrambling to find accommodation for what it expects to be more than 20,000 asylum seekers coming in this year,” he said. 

“That becomes very apparent for people when they see tents on the streets of our capital city. 

“Although it is interesting in the sense that people in Dublin were less likely than those in the rest of the country to believe Ireland is a soft touch.” 

Hardening immigration policy

Amid negative opinion of immigration policy, Mr Hughes suspects the Government will react through harder positions. 

“It's perhaps unsurprising then that Simon Harris, since coming to office, has really hardened the Government's approach when it comes to migration,” he said. 

“We've seen that evident in a number of different policy changes in recent weeks. 

“Initially, we saw cuts to the entitlements of Ukrainians... and the Cabinet was told in recent weeks that there would be a comprehensive review of entitlements of asylum seekers and refugees.” 

The Government will also introduce means testing for asylum seekers who receive benefits, which was originally mandated through legislation in 2018. 

Mr Hughes noted Mr Harris’ promise to ensure rules around immigration are “enforced”. 

“Simon Harris has taken this massive pivot on immigration – there was kind of a gulf there in the political sphere. 

“What Simon Harris has done is put Fine Gael into that space.” 

'Zero-tolerance' policy

Mr Hughes said we can expect a strong ‘zero-tolerance’ policy towards tents set up by homeless asylum seekers in the city, particularly as more alternative accommodation becomes available. 

He did note, however, that border checks for undocumented asylum seekers to lower illegal immigration are not the sole solution.

“If you're travelling here seeking asylum, if you want to find a way in, you probably will find another way,” he said. 

“While [border checks] might have had some initial success, I would not expect it to be something that stops large numbers.” 

Some 50 asylum seekers trying to enter the Republic of Ireland were returned to the UK last week.