Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2026
546. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if the Department has conducted a formal cost-benefit analysis of Ireland opting into EU return hub arrangements; if such an analysis exists; if so, if it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53219/26]
View answer547. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the legal basis under which return hub arrangements would operate for Irish cases; which third countries have been assessed for compliance with international human rights obligations; if a risk register or equivalent assessment exists for this policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53220/26]
View answer548. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to clarify the discrepancy between his Department's stated position on opting into EU return hub rules and the Taoiseach's comments in Strasbourg on 7 July 2026 that there are no immediate plans to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53221/26]
View answer549. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if a formal Government position on EU return hub opt-in has been agreed at Cabinet; if not, the timeline for such a decision. [53222/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 546 to 549, inclusive, together.
The Returns Regulation will establish a Common European system for returns, with simpler, swifter and more effective returns procedures across the EU, and contains provisions relating to the establishment of return hubs.
Article 17 of the Regulation provides for the legal possibility to establish return hubs in third countries. Under this provision, people who have received deportation orders and have no legal right to remain within the Member State may be returned to a third country with which there is a bilateral agreement or arrangement, provided certain conditions are met, including in particular the respect of international human rights standards and principles in accordance with international law.
It should be noted that the establishment of return hubs under the regulation is not mandatory and that it will be up to individual Member States to determine whether they will seek to establish such an arrangement with a third country.
Ireland has shown its commitment to a common EU-wide solution to migration through opting in to the Pact. Harmonisation in the area of returns is equally important and it is the Government’s preference that Ireland would participate in the Returns Regulation. Ireland considers that any proposed use of returns hubs must be sustainable, cost-effective and carried out in accordance with fundamental rights.
A decision was taken to change the legal basis of the Regulation, meaning that it now forms part of the Schengen Acquis. Consideration of Ireland’s participation in the measure by way of an opt-in under Protocol 19 is ongoing and any such opt-in will be subject to approval by the Houses of the Oireachtas.
