Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister has suggested the threat of being deported to Rwanda is causing a surge in migrants from the UK into his country.
Micheál Martin said the policy was already “impacting on Ireland” as people were “fearful” of staying in Britain.
The former Taoiseach said: “Maybe that’s the impact it was designed to have.”
Dublin revealed that 80 percent of recent asylum seekers in Ireland had come into the country from Northern Ireland.
He said: “I believe the Rwanda effect is impacting on Ireland and that didn’t happen today or yesterday. It’s been growing since the first iteration and publication of that strategy around Rwanda.
“It is having real impact on Ireland now in terms of people being fearful in the UK — maybe that’s the impact it was designed to have.
“They’re leaving the UK and they are taking opportunities to come to Ireland, crossing the border to get sanctuary here and within the European Union as opposed to the potential of being deported to Rwanda.”
The Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill became law on Thursday paving the way for deportation flights to get off the ground.
It is set to see asylum seekers being transported from the UK to the east African nation.
The Prime Minister, who has staked his reputation on his pledge to “stop the boats”, has described the Rwanda plan as an “indispensable deterrent”, despite it being plagued by a series of setbacks since the deal was signed two years ago.
The law declares Rwanda is a safe country and seeks to ensure the scheme – ruled unlawful by the Supreme Court – is legally watertight.
Officials are now working to put the plan into action, with Mr Sunak suggesting the first plane carrying asylum seekers could depart in July.
He said an airfield is “on stand-by” and commercial charter planes have been booked “for specific slots”.
