Michael Cahill
Ceist:247. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to clarify matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44702/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 11 June 2026
Ceisteanna (247, 250, 252)
Michael Cahill
Ceist:250. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide the relevant information in relation to asylum seekers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44784/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMichael Cahill
Ceist:252. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to address the issues raised on the implementation of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44791/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 247, 250 and 252 together.
I can advise the Deputy that since taking office, I have worked to ensure integrity, efficiency and public confidence in our migration system.
I have stated that it is my policy to reduce the number of people seeking international protection in Ireland. Decisions made by the International Protection Office show that the vast majority of those seeking protection in Ireland currently are not entitled to this status.
In line with this, I am limiting the use of hotels and commercial entities used for asylum accommodation and this, along with a range of value for money measures, will reduce the cost of accommodation provided to applicants for the first time in five years.
I have consistently emphasised that Ireland must have a rules-based immigration system. As such, I have recommenced the use of chartered flights and forced deportations for those with deportation orders and those who have been convicted of serious offences in Ireland.
These policies have contributed to a reduction of almost a third of people seeking international protection in Ireland in 2025 and has stabilised the need for new accommodation contracts being signed for the International Protection Accommodation Service.
However, it is obvious that the legal framework in relation to international protection is also in need of reform and must reflect that migration is a challenge not just at a national level but at a European level. Agreeing migration policy at an EU level means coordinated actions including sharing of information, reducing the number of people applying in numerous EU countries and reviving the return of applicants to the first country they applied in.
This is the reason why the Houses of the Oireachtas, both Dáil and Seanad, very deliberately voted to opt into the Pact in 2024, and I have gone further to introduce more stringent provisions within the International Protection Act 2026 which was passed by the Oireachtas this year. Opting-out of the Pact is neither in Ireland’s interests, as to do so would create an incentive for secondary movement, undermine our ability to use faster processing, particularly to return inadmissible cases to other EU Member States, nor is it in line with our obligations under EU law.
This is the biggest reform in asylum law in a generation and will result in new obligations on applicants including screening and biometric identification, decisions on applications to be made within 3-6 months as opposed to years currently and will ensure that applicants are returned to the first country within the EU where they had made an application.
Contrary to some commentary, Ireland is not handing over control of migration to the European Union. The EU has had a common asylum policy since 1999 and Ireland is simply utilising EU regulations to make the process more efficient and reduce the numbers of people coming to Ireland who are not entitled to international protection.
Irish officials will still decide if an applicant is entitled to international protection, An Garda Síochána will still protect our borders, and my Department will still have control of the deportation process for those whose application has been refused.
Ireland will not be forced to take applicants from other EU countries, but we may decide to contribute to frontline countries who are under significant migratory pressure and who we will be seeking assistance from in taking back applicants who arrived in their country first.
The International Protection Act as passed by the Oireachtas will commence on 12th June. I will continue to work on making sure our asylum system is fit for purpose and that our laws are respected.
More information on the Pact can be found here -https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/d00f0bc7/EU_Migration_and_Asylum_Pact_FAQs.pdf.