Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan, Tánaiste Simon Harris, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn and Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Matthew Patrick speak following the British-Irish inter-governmental conference at Farmleigh House in Dublin on Monday. Photograph: Conor O Mearain/PA WireIreland may need to consider changes to asylum and immigration rules on foot of tougher changes being brought in by the British government, according to Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan. Currently, “over 80 per cent” of those claiming asylum in the Republic are reaching Dublin from Northern Ireland, the Minister for Justice said, following a British-Irish inter-governmental conference in Farmleigh. Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Hilary Benn at a press conference at Farmleigh House in Dublin on Monday. The Common Travel Area was never intended to play a role in terms of asylum seekers,” he said.

Source: The Irish Times November 17, 2025 16:07 UTC