Govt backs plan to crack down on illegal immigrants
07/07/2008 - 08:10:58The Irish Government has reportedly expressed support for a French plan to mount a renewed crackdown on illegal immigrants across the EU.
Reports this morning say the French government, which currently holds the EU presidency, has drawn up a pact that calls on all member states to expel more illegal immigrants.
The pact also calls for harmonised asylum procedures and greater efforts to integrate immigrants who are not in the EU illegally.
A spokesman for Justice Minister Dermot Ahern has reportedly indicated that the Irish Government is "favourably disposed" towards the measures, which are being discussed by EU ministers in Cannes today.
The French government has made cracking down on illegal immigration one of the priorities of its six-month presidency of the EU.
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