Sir, – Responding to your report that nine out of 10 fast track asylum claims are rejected (“Fast-track system rejects 90% of asylum claims”, Ireland, July 6th), we as a group of migrant organisations would like to note the following:
Fast-track asylum rejections are not a sign of a system working.
The measure of a working asylum system is one that makes decisions in a timely manner, makes the correct decision at the earliest possible stage, treats applicants with dignity and fairness, and provides positive integration opportunities. Short-sighted Government decisions have neglected these essential features.
Firstly, fast-track procedures in asylum processing mean less time for legal advice, less time for applicants to learn about the process, and less time to obtain and provide vital evidence to their claim. This will result in people who need protection being returned to unsafe situations.
RM Block
Secondly, Government claims of faster procedures are overstated. For those applicants processed outside of the fast-track procedures, a processing time in excess of 32 months is common where an appeal is required. It remains to be seen if the department will meet the shorter timeframes imposed by the EU migration pact.
The International Protection Act 2026 introduces a further risk, with the possibility that a person can be returned to the country they are fleeing from before they hear the outcome of their appeal. When one in four appeals is successful, is this efficient or deeply unfair?
Ultimately, this Government is choosing speed over fairness and labelling it as efficiency.
Irish people know what it means to be forced to leave home in search of a better life. At the very least we should show humanity, fairness and patience to those who come here to do the same. – Yours, etc,
ALAN O’LEARY,
Irish Refugee Council
Co-signed:
Nasc, the Migrant Rights Centre
Oxfam Ireland
Doras
