Abstract
The immigration debate in Ireland, including peaceful as well as violent protest actions, has highlighted the divide between the political elite and the voters on this issue. Ireland’s long relationship with the UK, the legacy of the Common Travel Area between the two counties, and the UK’s withdrawal from the EU have greatly complicated the current situation and debate. The border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland is the only land border for both Ireland and the UK. Both countries and the EU have worked together to prevent checkpoints on the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland related to custom checks on goods because of Britain’s departure from the EU’s internal market. The Common Travel Area, which allows Irish and British citizens to cross this border and to fly between both countries without showing passports or travel documents, has also made it easier for asylum seekers to move between both countries. This has led to increased cooperation to solve these issues, without drawing attention to the land border which could pose a threat to the Good Friday Agreement. The current situation, however, has also caused political tensions within Ireland regarding immigration and asylum requests. This paper focuses on the need for the leadership of Ireland’s political parties and the Government to tackle these issues against the backdrop of debates and political tremors across the EU on the immigration issue.
Presenters
Daniel SweeneyAssistant Professor, Department of History and International Studies, University of Scranton, Pennsylvania, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
2024 Special Focus—The World on the Move: Understanding Migration in a New Global Age
KEYWORDS
IMMIGRATION, ASYLUM, IRELAND, NORTHERN IRELAND, EU COMMON ASYLUM, OPT OUT
