Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O'Callaghan has rejected claims that his approach to immigration amounts to right-wing "dog whistling".
Earlier, Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon said a plan to offer up to €10,000 to families to end their claim for International Protection "is designed to undermine the credibility of people in the asylum system" and "to give the impression they are here for cash rather than safety."
Speaking to Prime Time, Minister O'Callaghan said he is simply enforcing rules passed by the Oireachtas and making Ireland’s asylum system clear.
"What I'm proposing is a completely reasonable response to what's happening here," Mr O’Callaghan told presenter Sarah McInerney.
"I'm not going to shy away from the fact, that when you look at the numbers of people who have applied for asylum this year, 82% have had their claims rejected at first instance," Mr O’Callaghan said.
"The way to respond to that is to ensure that people know that if they come to Ireland and get a negative decision, there'll be a consequence," he added.
"I want the message to go out that if you come to Ireland and you fail in your application for asylum, there will be a consequence. Otherwise, what's the point of having a system?"
In wide-ranging interview, the minister was also asked about his views on a recent campaign which has seen Irish flags raised on lampposts and in housing estates across towns and cities.
In recent weeks, a slew of tricolours have been erected across towns and cities across the country. Social media posts by people erecting the flags align their efforts to anti-immigration rallies and right-wing nationalist groups.
Minister O’Callaghan said he believes that in cases where the flags are erected on public lampposts, they should be removed by local authorities.
"I believe in a rules-based system and, as Minister for Justice, that’s what I have to apply. To put up a flag or a poster you need permission from the local authority — otherwise you’re breaking planning rules," he said.
"What I certainly don’t want is parts of Ireland becoming tribal territory as we’ve seen in Northern Ireland. That would be a regressive step. The Irish flag is a fantastic symbol of unity and reconciliation, and people using it should recognise that."
