Refugees

Varadkar responds to EU criticisms of Irish response to migrants

Dunja Mijatovic wrote to Leo Varadkar to say that reception conditions for international protection applicants have been inadequate since summer 2022

Dunja Mijatovic: “The exposure of often traumatised and vulnerable individuals to cold, rain, hunger, and distress has serious consequences for their human rights.” Picutre: Getty

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said the Government is committed to implement “necessary measures” for international protection applicants after the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights raised concerns about Ireland’s response.

In a letter last week, Commissioner Dunja Mijatovic wrote to Varadkar and the ministers for integration and housing, Roderic O’Gorman and Darragh O’Brien, to say that reception conditions for international protection applicants have been inadequate since summer 2022.

She said she was “concerned” about ...