Ireland Opt-In to EU Asylum and Migration Pact

Ireland Opt-In to EU Asylum and Migration Pact

The European Commission has confirmed Ireland’s opt in to seven key legislative measures of the EU Asylum and Migration Pact. It significantly shifts Ireland’s approach to managing asylum and migration. 

The new legislation will replace the International Protection Act 2015, which will be fully repealed. It will be debated and scrutinised in the Dáil and the Seanad. The seven key reforms are:

• Strict, legally binding deadlines will be established for decisions on protection applications and appeals.
• Emphasis will be placed on promptly returning unsuccessful applicants.
• Accelerated processing for applications from safe countries, those with no or false documents, and individuals who crossed borders illegally.
• Applicants processed under the border procedure will not be authorised to enter Ireland. They will be housed in designated locations. Their cases, including applications, appeals, and removal decisions, will be processed within three months.
• New dedicated accommodation will be provided for those under the border procedure or awaiting return.
• A new solidarity mechanism requires countries to make a financial contribution or agree to relocate some asylum seekers from countries facing particular pressures.
• More categories of migrants will be fingerprinted and checked against the Eurodac database.

Ireland Minister for Justice Helen McEntee emphasised the importance of this development, saying:

“I warmly welcome the formal confirmation by the European Commission of Ireland’s participation in the Pact. EU migration is a shared European challenge, and the Pact will greatly assist Ireland in managing migration effectively, securing our borders, and ensuring our asylum systems are fair and efficient.”

The EU Asylum and Migration Pact aims to create a more unified approach to migration across Europe, balancing efficiency with respect for human rights. Ireland’s participation is expected to align its asylum system with European standards and improve processing efficiency.

Minister McEntee added:

“I will continue to introduce changes to ensure the integrity and efficiency of Ireland’s international protection system. I am strengthening legislation and increasing the resources of the International Protection Office to improve processing times.”

The Department of Justice has recently taken several initiatives, including suspending visa-free travel for certain refugees, enhancing processing procedures, and increasing enforcement measures. 

Immigration Control Measures

1. Visa-free travel has been suspended for refugees with travel documents issued by designated safe countries or other EU Member States
2. Visas are now required for South Africa & Botswana nationals to enter Ireland
3. Specific funding has been allocated to assign Garda Airline Liaison Officers to European transport hubs
4. Additional resources have been deployed at Dublin Airport to conduct ‘doorstop’ operations on flights posing risks of irregular migration
5. Increased enforcement actions, including a rise in deportation orders and significant investments in speeding up processing times

Get Expert Immigration Advice

If you are affected by the changes to Ireland’s immigration policy or wish to discuss your pathway for travelling or moving to Ireland, get in touch with our global immigration lawyers today.

We know immigration regulation can be complex and time consuming. Our expert lawyers specialise in asylum claims, appeals and refusals, as well as visa applications in Ireland, and can take the guess-work out of your application.

We offer face-to-face appointments online or in our offices, to ensure you get the support you need to navigate immigration regulation. Call us on +44 (0) 330 828 4125 or reach out to us online.