Toughening UK asylum rules could affect relations with Ireland, justice minister says

Jim O'Callaghan says he will closely monitor changes proposed by British government

Attempts to toughen up asylum rules in the UK could have significant implications for relations with Ireland, Dublin's justice minister has said, amid concerns that this could increase migration flows to Ireland.

More than 80% of people who use irregular routes to Ireland originate from Great Britain, travelling to Belfast by plane or boat and then by road to Dublin to make asylum claims, the justice department has said.