Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 12:

In page 93, to delete lines 25 and 26.

We have spoken to amendment No. 12 previously. This is in relation to the first country of asylum. I am pointing to the fact that this is an issue that needed to be teased out a little more. I am also conscious that we have talked about families and others who would be affected by Brexit.

I have concerns, which I will not fully press now, on the issue of first county of asylum and cases where a landing place may have been in the UK. Much as we have talked about families who are spread across the Border here in Ireland, the EU relationship that Ireland has had will give rise to situations for family members. For example, in some cases this tacks into the issue of family reunification. In some cases, two siblings or family members who have been given asylum in different countries have sought to be unified. What measures are being taken in relation to family reunification from the UK when it becomes a third country?

I am concerned that while the issue of first country of asylum within the EU is addressed in the Dublin Convention, I am unclear on how the procedures will work in cases where families who are separated seek to unify when the UK is a first country of asylum but outside the procedures for reunification that currently operate. I do not know whether the Minister needs to comment on that now because I am happy to withdraw the amendment.