Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and the Greens are discussing plans to give up to 17,000 undocumented migrants legal status in Ireland as part of their programme for government talks.

The parties are in talks to establish a regularisation scheme for undocumented migrants in Ireland. Under draft plans, the criteria for a such a scheme would be set out, subject to it being compliant with EU and Common Travel Area obligations, within 18 months of the new government taking office.

While there has been no final agreement, a source involved in the talks said a commitment to setting up a scheme would be a "big win" for migrants' rights campaigners.

Fianna Fáil and the Greens have previously supported calls for a regularisation scheme for the estimated 15,000-17,000 undocumented people in Ireland, including 2,000-3,000 of these who are children.

Fine Gael has been more sceptical of such a measure, previously arguing it could have "unintended and expensive consequences".

Its manifesto said it would work to identify "appropriate legal pathways" for the undocumented to regularise their status.

A second source involved in the discussions said the current Covid emergency would be the ideal time to set up a scheme as these migrants cannot leave the country at present. Undocumented migrants are typically those who have arrived on a time-limited visa but who remained in the State after it expired.

The Migrant Rights Centre Ireland (MRCI) says 93pc of undocumented migrants are in work, including as many as 29pc who work as carers.

Many others work in essential sectors like construction, agriculture, food production and retail, according to Neil Bruton from the MRCI.

"It's a good time to do it because a lot of people can't travel. Undocumented people are here long term - 75pc of people are here over five years. We are leaving them in the shadows," he said.

The MRCI has proposed a scheme that would be open for a six-month period with any applicant having to prove they have no serious criminal conviction, that they have been resident in the State for three years, or two years if they have a child or dependant, and be able to show evidence of employment or a job offer in an area which has a skills shortage.

Meanwhile, Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan has apologised to the people of Cahersiveen in Co Kerry for the "speed" in which a direct provision centre was opened in the town.

In an open letter published in 'The Kerryman', he said the Covid-19 pandemic is why the centre at the former Skellig Star Hotel was opened on March 18 with "little or no engagement" with the local community.

"It was fast. I admit that. It left little or no time for engagement. I admit that. It was presented as a fait accompli. I admit that too. All I can say in my department's defence is we simply did not feel we had a choice," he said.

Mr Flanagan denied his department knew about a positive case being transferred into the hotel from Dublin in March, and rejected calls to close the centre.

Meanwhile, it was reported last night that two residents of a direct provision centre in Killarney tested positive for Covid-19.

The two men tested positive a fortnight ago and were moved from the Linden House centre initially. Both are said to have fully recovered.

Irish Independent

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