Ireland set to join EU-Nigeria migrant returns pact

Ireland is poised to join a new EU-Nigeria agreement that could speed the return of Nigerian migrants who no longer have the legal right to enter, stay or reside in the European Union.

Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan wants the Cabinet to approve Ireland’s participation in the readmission pact. Nigeria is consistently one of the main countries of origin for people applying for international protection in Ireland. If the Cabinet agrees next week, the arrangement would replace a weaker framework dating from 2001. That bilateral agreement was never formally ratified by Nigeria, although the Irish Government believes Nigerian authorities have cooperated.

The EU negotiated the new agreement with Nigeria for more than a decade before signing it earlier this year. It could result in thousands of Nigerians, including economic migrants and unsuccessful asylum seekers, being returned to their country of origin. The agreement places fresh obligations on Nigeria to accept the swift return of its nationals from EU member states. It also provides for the return of EU migrants from Nigeria.

The deal was linked to greater Nigerian access to the EU market and €288 million in healthcare funding. The EU says it contains safeguards covering human rights, data protection, governance and monitoring. Both sides commit to protecting the rights of people returned under the agreement.

The Department of Justice expects the pact to make enforcement of return decisions against Nigerian migrants faster. It also believes the agreement could encourage Nigeria to strengthen its migration controls. Ireland does not automatically participate in EU justice and home affairs measures, but it has three months to opt in after a proposal is published. The EU-Nigeria agreement was formally published on July 8, leaving Ireland until October 8 to decide.

The move comes as five EU countries plan agreements to send people without legal residency to countries outside the bloc. Germany, Austria, Greece, Denmark and the Netherlands have said they are taking concrete steps toward a deal with a non-EU country on return facilities, but they have not identified potential host countries. Uganda and Rwanda have reportedly been involved in talks.