Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has said that there is evidence that a significant number of people seeking asylum in Ireland are travelling from Northern Ireland.
He was speaking ahead of a two-day summit on Organised Immigration Crime in London, hosted by the UK government.
Minister O'Callaghan said that it is important that people make their asylum application in the first country they arrive in.
However, he also expressed concern that many asylum seekers are vulnerable people who are victims of organised immigration crime.
Mr O'Callaghan said that Ireland is focused on cooperating with British authorities to combat illegal immigration, adding that it was important that "the excellent work and cooperation that's ongoing between British authorities and Irish authorities continues, particularly in respect of the cooperation between the Garda National Immigration Bureau and their British counterparts".
Ireland is involved in an EU response to Organised Immigration Crime and that will also be a focus for the Minister today.
Separately, he confirmed that efforts are under way to reduce the amount of money spent on accommodating International Protection Applicants, by reducing the demand for accommodation.
He said "people who are seeking asylum are very welcome to come to Ireland, we're a very welcoming country and we will allow them to stay here because of the persecution".
"But if you're coming to Ireland and you're claiming asylum and you're not entitled to asylum, you won't be allowed to stay," added Mr O'Callaghan.
Representatives from over 40 countries are attending the summit which has been organised by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.
During the summit, Minister O'Callaghan is taking part in bilateral discussions with participants, including European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner and Belgium's Minister for Security and Home Affairs Bernard Quintin.
The Organised Immigration Summit will continue tomorrow.
Opening he event, Mr Starmer said that countries must work together to combat smuggling, "we've got to combine our resources, share intelligence and tactics, and tackle the problem upstream at every step of the people smuggling routes".
The UK has seen an increase in small boat arrivals in recent months, with over 5,000 people crossing the English Channel so far this year, a record number for this time of year.
Weather and sea conditions are understood to have a significant impact on arrivals.
The government scrapped the controversial Rwanda Scheme when it came to power, which Conservatives argued would act as a deterrent.
However, Labour government insiders now believe that improved diplomatic relations with European counterparts will help reduce illegal immigration.
Ms Cooper told today's gathering that "the UK’s global leadership on this issue is already delivering results. France has agreed to launch a unit of specialist officers who are mobile, highly trained and equipped to respond dynamically to prevent small boat launches".
Mr O'Callaghan is set to focus on increased co-operation with EU agencies.
He is also expected to discuss ways to disrupt criminal supply chains, such as the equipment, infrastructure and fraudulent documents that are used by gangs.
Criminal finances and the role of the online environment will also be a focus of his discussions.
Representatives from Meta, X and TikTok are present to discuss how to tackle the online promotion of irregular migration.
Mr O'Callaghan has had a number of bilateral conversations with Ms Cooper since he became Minister for Justice earlier this year.
At the UK-Ireland Summit earlier this month, both Mr O'Callaghan and Ms Cooper discussed close co-operation between both countries when it comes to tackling illegal immigration and ensuring the common travel area is not abused.
