Updated: 19.45
ENDA KENNY HAS said that the US preclearance policy at Dublin and Shannon airports will be reviewed as it emerged one person was turned away at Dublin Airport since Trump’s immigration ban.
The Department of Transport confirmed to RTÉ that one person had been affected by the executive order but they did not say what country the traveller came from.
At a press conference with Theresa May after the pair met today at Government Buildings, Kenny said he did not agree with Trump’s executive order.
He said: “I have asked for a complete review of pre-clearance facilities here in Ireland, in respect of the three departments dealing with this, so that we can be absolutely clear of the importance of this.
“It is important to understand that pre-clearance has been important here in Ireland in terms of convenience, over 1.2 million people, and in terms of efficiency and economics.”
Pre-clearance duties are carried out by US officials under an international agreement between Ireland and the United States.
Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone said that the legality of applying the new US travel ban in Irish airports needs to be urgently questioned.
Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast, the American-born TD said that for people who voted against Trump, his latest move meant that their “worst fears have been realised”.
Richard Bruton, speaking later to RTÉ, said that Trump’s actions were “alarming”, and that all of the issues would be discussed at cabinet tomorrow.
Shortly after British prime minister Theresa May held talks with Trump at the White House on Friday, the new president signed an executive order to suspend refugee arrivals and impose tough new controls on travellers from seven Muslim countries.
Zappone said that the question of Irish authorities adhering to this ban and apply it to travellers attempting to travel from Irish soil was of primary importance.
“I’m calling into question whether the Irish government is required to implement policies of discrimination,” she said.
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