DUBLIN Ireland: Former Minister for Integration Roderic O'Gorman has criticized the government's approach to migration, accusing it of trying to downplay the issue rather than addressing it effectively.

O'Gorman, who served as Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth from 2020 to 2025, said the decision to create a junior ministerial role for migration suggests an attempt to "minimize" the problem rather than tackle it head-on.

"It struck me as if the government, by minimizing the role, was going to minimize the problem that migration could cause this government," he told BreakingNews, i.e., "Unfortunately, it doesn't work like that."

Fine Gael TD Colm Brophy has been appointed Minister of State for Migration, sharing responsibilities with Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan. O'Gorman argued that migration requires the authority of a senior minister, saying, "As challenging as I found migration as a senior minister, I could go directly to the various agencies … I could challenge other government departments directly at Cabinet meetings."

He also raised concerns about the lack of planning for accommodation for international protection applicants. "I set out a system from March last year looking to move onto State-owned accommodation … There is one line in the entire new program for the government about accommodation for international protection applicants. It just says, ‘We will use fewer hotels and more State-owned land.' That's it."

O'Gorman was particularly critical of the new government's plans' omission of any mention of Ukrainian refugees. "There are still 65,000 Ukrainians in the State … and no word about them in the program for government." He warned that with a looming deadline for the recognition payment in March, the government has remained "absolutely silent" on whether it will be renewed or adjusted.

He argued that migration is not an issue that will disappear, citing conflicts in Ukraine, North Africa, and the Middle East and climate change forcing people to flee their homes. "We are going to experience more migration in every European country, including Ireland," he said, calling for a clear plan to process applications, grant protection quickly, and ensure proper accommodation for applicants.

O'Gorman also noted that other EU countries have dedicated migration bodies and criticized the Irish government for avoiding "difficult questions." He warned that without proper planning, the State could again find itself struggling with asylum seekers sleeping rough, as seen last year in Dublin's Mount Street and along the Grand Canal.

"If there's any sort of increase—if something in Gaza changes and people start leaving, if there's an upsurge in violence in Afghanistan—we will experience that," he said.

He also questioned the stance of Regional Independent TDs now supporting the government, noting that some have previously opposed migration policies. "They won't be able to do that anymore because when you are part of the government, you have to accept decisions and work to implement them," he said, predicting tensions in managing migration policy in the future.