Chambers urges First Minister Michelle O'Neill to address immigration concerns

Senator Lisa Chambers has urged Northern Ireland first Minister, Michelle O’Neill to address immigration concerns in urgent correspondence.

The European election candidate for the Midlands Northwest constituency has written to Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill, regarding the alarming numbers of immigrants entering the Republic of Ireland from Britain through Northern Ireland. 

In her correspondence, Senator Chambers has directly queried First Minister O'Neill on how she plans to address this issue, as it is a shared challenge.

Expressing profound concern over the implications of this situation, the Fianna Fáil Senator emphasised the necessity for collaborative action to tackle the shared challenge. 

There were comments in the House of Commons this week which said that Northern Ireland should not become a ‘dumping ground’ for the UK’s problems. 

Senator Chambers commented that by extension, Ireland should not become such a ‘dumping ground’ also.

She added: "It is not acceptable that Britain's migration policy seems to be to Rwanda or to Ireland - this is not how neighbours should interact with each other."

The Mayo woman has already called on Minister for Integration, Roderic O’Gorman, to ensure a ‘balanced allocation’ of asylum seekers in different regions.

Drawing attention to former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's comments on RTÉ Radio earlier this week referencing legislation that grants powers to monitor entry points into Northern Ireland, at ports or airports, Senator Chambers sought clarity on whether these powers are being considered or looked at by First Minister O'Neill. 

Given the gravity of the issue for the entire island, Senator Chambers underscored the urgency of addressing this matter comprehensively.

She stated, "The influx of immigrants from the UK through Northern Ireland and into Ireland is a pressing concern that demands immediate attention and collaborative action. It is imperative that we work together to find equitable solutions that uphold the integrity of our borders and ensure fair treatment for both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland."

Senator Chambers concluded by urging First Minister O'Neill to engage in transparent dialogue and proactive measures to address the shared immigration challenges facing both jurisdictions.