Irish people have responded “magnificently” to the increased number of refugees and asylum seekers, Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said.
Since the pandemic the number of international protection applicants has surged; where once there were roughly 3,000 a year, now there are around 15,000.
In addition, some 95,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Ireland since the invasion of their country.
Speaking to The Hard Shoulder, the Tánaiste described the current situation as “unprecedented”.
“I think that’s something that speaks to the strength of Ireland and our value system,” he said.
“That has created pressures - of that, there is no doubt.
“But I think a lot of people in our education system, in our medical system, have responded very well and magnificently to that cause.”
The place of temporary residence of Ukrainian refugees in the sports hall.Acknowledging, the asylum system has been placed under “significant pressures”, Minister Martin said people are fleeing to Ireland because living conditions in the developing world are deteriorating.
“The worry I have, really, is the more broader picture; why are people travelling in such numbers?” he said.
“Why are they leaving areas in Africa and the Middle East? It’s because of conflict and authoritarian regimes, climate change causing drought… and making farming unviable.
“Which then means that we have to pay more to make the quality of life better for people who are fleeing.”
Overseas development
In Budget 2023, Ireland allocated €1.233 billion to overseas development and Minister Martin said the money will reduce pressure on the asylum system in the long-term.
“I was in Mozambique, for example, early this summer to see some Irish developmental projects like a solar driven water system… That matters,” he said.
“That improves the quality of life and makes life habitable, it makes agriculture possible.
“So, our work in food production system in Africa matters because people can potentially have a future.
“If they have no future… people will leave because there’s no alternative for them and that’s a problem.”
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Main image: Micheál Martin. Image: Sam Boal/RollingNews
