Ireland intends to cease visa-free travel from South Africa as part of efforts to decrease the influx of individuals seeking international protection and asylum. The country's ministers are anticipated to discuss the discontinuation of the visa-free travel arrangement soon, with subsequent government actions aimed at tightening immigration. The Irish Times outlines that Ireland's decision to terminate visa-free travel for South Africa follows concerns over nationals from Zimbabwe and the Democratic Republic of Congo using South African passports to enter the country. Data from the Irish Department of Justice reveals that 198 individuals who entered Ireland with South African passports are presently undergoing processing, constituting over three percent of this year's total applicants thus far.

Taoiseach Simon Harris, addressing a Dáil committee, expressed the government's intention to implement measures aimed at reducing the flow of asylum seekers entering Northern Ireland. Justice Minister Helen McEntee disclosed that over 80 percent of international protection applicants have entered Ireland through Northern Ireland. In light of this data, Harris emphasized the importance of enhancing collaboration between Ireland's Garda and Northern Ireland's Police Service. He underscored the need for additional measures beyond airport protocols to effectively address the issue.

As reported by the Irish Times, Minister McEntee stated that over 5,000 individuals have applied for asylum in the country this year. With expectations of increased arrivals in the coming months, the government plans to strengthen current measures. Given the significant influx of asylum seekers and pressure to accommodate approximately 1,600 housed males, the Irish government is appealing to church dioceses to offer buildings or land for temporary shelter. This isn't the government's first request for land from the church, as similar appeals were made previously to shelter individuals fleeing the conflict in Ukraine.

Currently, authorities are actively investigating additional options, while the government is anticipated to announce an official decision regarding the rules it intends to reinforce to reduce the influx of asylum seekers into the country.