Irish Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan has raised concerns over an expected ruling from the European Court of Justice (ECJ), warning it could result in newly arrived asylum seekers in Ireland receiving greater rights than homeless Irish citizens.
The case before the ECJ concerns asylum seekers who are denied accommodation upon arrival. The court is likely to rule that such individuals are entitled to compensation.
Fianna Fáil TD O’Callaghan criticised the implications of the case, saying it could lead to a situation where “people in Ireland who are entitled to be on social housing lists or homeless lists” are not entitled to damages, while “asylum seekers who had just arrived would be entitled to damages if they are left sleeping rough.”
Commenting on the issue on social media platform X, MCC Brussels said: “Asylum seekers will be entitled to compensation if the State doesn’t house them – while Irish homeless families are left on the streets with no such right. This is what the EU demands. Madness.”
