Responding to proposals that refugees must wait three years before applying for family reunification, the CEO of the Irish Refugee Council, Nick Henderson, said today:
“Jim O’Callaghan and Colm Brophy are intent on keeping families separated. These changes, on top of those proposed in November, will result in families being torn apart for five years or more. A person is likely to wait at least a year for their protection application to be processed, followed by a further 18 months for a family-reunification application, based on current waiting periods. Only then — after an additional mandatory three-year waiting period — can they even apply to be reunited with their spouse or child. During this time, partners and children may remain in situations of serious harm and persecution. We call on the Government to withdraw these cruel proposals immediately.”