MINISTER: NOT 'CRUEL' TO SPEED UP ASYLUM CLAIMS

JUSTICE Minister Jim O'Callaghan has denied proposals to reduce asylum decisions from three years to three months are “cruel”.

- BY LOUISE BURNE Political Correspondent

The Fianna Fail Minister brought plans to Cabinet yesterday for a new act to govern the international protection system. He also did not rule out the possibility of detention centres for asylum seekers in the future.

Under the changes, asylum applications will be assessed within three months. A new appeals mechanism will be set up, and oral hearings will no longer be held in all cases.

Minister O'Callaghan said the asylum laws in Ireland are “too costly in terms of the fact we have to provide accommodation for people who are going through the process”.