Eoghan Dalton Reports from Johannesburg

THE TAOISEACH DEFENDED the government’s decision to restrict travel between Ireland and Botswana after he was challenged on the decision by local media during his attendance of the G20 summit in Johannesburg.

Micheál Martin said decisions have been taken to prevent the level of free travel between nations from being “exploited”.

As of July last year, citizens of Botswana can no longer freely travel to Ireland and must apply for a visa in advance.

Botswana was included with South Africa when the decision was announced by the Department of Justice, in light of a “significant number of international protection applications” from both countries.

The Taoiseach was questioned by Roberta Akanyang, a journalist from Botswana’s Duma FM, which is described as the largest private radio station in the southern African country.

Akanyang, whose late grandmother was from Ireland, quizzed the Fianna Fáil leader on Ireland’s broader shift in its immigration policy and when would the restrictions for her homeland be lifted.

“What will it take for that to be removed,” she asked, adding that the country is has a population of around 2.3 million people.

In response, the Taoiseach said the government “does assess visas from time to time” for different countries.

“In different situations that can be exploited a bit and lead to certain migratory patterns that has occurred in different locations,” Martin added. “These are issues we have to weigh in.”

Akanyang questioned the Taoiseach further on whether Ireland’s tightening on immigration was “negatively” impacting on diplomatic relations with African countries.

“Does this ever just impede on some of the friendships that you have with certain African countries,” she asked.

The Taoiseach was adamant that it hasn’t had any impact, adding that Ireland does not “distinguish our application processes” depending on the country. “They’re open to all in terms of those seeking refuge.

But the majority, when you look at the analysis of those who have come, in particular the first phase, the majority tend not to qualify because they’re fundamentally more economic migrants.

Martin added: “We have a particular system then for work permits and so on that can bring people in through a legal process of coming to work in Ireland. And that’s open to all.”

When asked if it would be fair for African countries to have a visa restriction on Ireland, the Taoiseach said that it’s a matter for every country to devise its own rules around migration.

The exchange ended on a more cheerful note as Akanyang advised Martin to consider visiting Botswana and it’s new leader Duma Boko. Last year, Boko ended the 60-year-rule of the party that has held office since Botswana achieved independence some 60 years ago.

“I’m not the president’s spokesperson but I think you’d enjoy the trip very much,” Akanyang told the Taoiseach.

While Martin said he’d “love to go”, he added that it’s “subject to schedules and all of that”.

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