'A pivotal step': Bill for new asylum rules passes

Eva Osborne

Ireland has passed the International Protection Bill, bringing in new asylum rules, to speed up decisions and improve support for applicants.

It is linked to the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, which comes into effect across member states in June.

Civil society groups have strongly criticised the bill, saying it was rushed through without proper debate.

Lynsey Dolan of Newtalk said debate on the bill concluded after it was guillotined in the Dáil on Wednesday night, meaning TDs did not get as much time as usual to examine or challenge the details before it was passed.

The Government said the measures are reasonable and necessary, but critics argue the system is being rushed, and may struggle to cope in practice.

The bill aims to speed up asylum decisions for applicants, but concerns remain about human rights, including the possible detention of applicants, limited access to legal advice at an early stage, and new restrictions on family reunification.

On the passing of the bill, Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan said it was "a pivotal step" in the implementation of a rules-based migration and asylum system in Ireland and across all EU member states.

“The Pact recognises that migration requires sharing responsibility, robust and fair management of external borders, and stronger governance of asylum and migration policies.

“It remains clear that migration is inherently a transnational issue. No country can deal with the challenges around migration alone.

“I am proud of the committed and collective work that has been done to get the Bill to this stage. I want to particularly thank officials in my Department, the Office of Parliamentary Council, and the Advisory Council in the Attorney General’s Office. I look forward to seeing the results that the Pact will yield.”