Clare’s MEP claims closing Ireland’s borders “isn’t compatible with the real world”.
New data from the Central Statistics Office shows immigration in this country is at its highest point in 17 years with 142,000 arriving in the year to April.
In the same period, 69,000 people left Ireland which is its highest emigration figure since 2015.
Scariff MEP Michael McNamara says immigration will always be an aspect of Irish life but the speed at which asylum claims are processed here can be improved.
Listen to the full interview here