Botswana and Algeria to be added to Ireland's 'safe country' list

Justice Minister Helen McEntee will today sign orders to add two more countries to the list, which already includes Georgia, Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, Serbia and South Africa. A safe country is one where the Government believes there is generally no persecution, torture, inhuman or degrading treatment or threat of violence through armed conflict. Citizens of these countries are still entitled to apply for asylum in Ireland; however, they must be able to prove that their country is not safe for them in terms of their own personal circumstances. In recent years, the Government has sped up checks an applicants from safe countries – and decisions are now made on their cases within a maximum of 90 days. Botswana and Algeria are the latest countries to be added to the list in what is being seen by some as a bid to crack down on the numbers arriving here seeking International Protection. ________________________________________________________________________________________________ 📱 Have you downloaded the Newstalk app? - Find the app in the Google Play store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.thisisaim.newstalk&hl=en_IE&gl=US - Find the app via Apple: https://apps.apple.com/ie/app/newstalk-106-108-fm/id372643826 #️⃣ SUBSCRIBE to the Newstalk social channels: - YOUTUBE | youtube.com/@Newstalkfm - TWITTER | twitter.com/newstalkfm - INSTAGRAM | instagram.com/newstalkfm/ - FACEBOOK | facebook.com/newstalkfm - WEBSITE | https://www.newstalk.com/ 🎧 PODCAST - listen at your leisure: newstalk.com/podcasts - iTunes: search for Newstalk in your app! - Spotify: search for Newstalk for our latest pods and news - Or wherever you get your podcasts! 📱GET IN TOUCH WITH NEWSTALK - WhatsApp: get in touch on 0871400106