EU

Irish MEPs split along party lines in EU vote on asylum reform

Controversial package of eight legal texts was adopted during a dramatic vote on Wednesday evening

Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil’s seven MEPs voted in favour of all of the texts, while Grace O’Sullivan, Clare Daly, Mick Wallace and Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan and Chris MacManus — rejected it in whole or in part. Picture: Getty

MEPs have voted through what has been called a “fair and firm” asylum and migration pact that they hope will take some of the sting out of the issue on the European election trail.

Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo, whose country holds the EU's six monthly rotating presidency, said it was an “important first step in taking back control, monitoring our external borders and offering protection to people entitled to protection”.

European Commission president ...