Act to reform asylum process takes effect
Legislation on international protection that brings Ireland into line with the EU Migration and Asylum Pact comes into effect today (12 June).
The pact, which is aimed at harmonising and improving the management of migration across the EU, also takes effect across the union from today.
Welcoming the commencement of the International Protection Act 2026, Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan described it as “an important milestone in ensuring the integrity and efficiency of the asylum process and further building public confidence in the system”.
‘Concerns remain’
Earlier this year, President Connolly signed the bill into law but said that the concerns that led her to call a meeting of the Council of State on the legislation remained.
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) has also warned that significant human-rights and equality concerns about the act remain.
The organisation argues that the act falls short of providing essential safeguards for some of the most vulnerable people seeking international protection.
“Broad detention powers, concerns around victims of trafficking, and restrictions placed on family reunification create real risks of human-rights violations for vulnerable applicants,” said chief commissioner Liam Herrick.
Mandatory timelines
The 2026 act is aimed at speeding up decisions on international-protection applications.
Under the bill, applicants arriving in the State will be required to go through a screening process that will determine the procedure under which their application will be examined.
They will then have their asylum claim examined under mandatory timelines, which range from two months to six months, depending on the procedure.
A new State body, the Tribunal for Asylum and Returns Appeals (TARA), will have responsibility for appeals.
The minister has today appointed retired Circuit Court judge Karen Fergus as the interim chief inspector of border procedures to monitor compliance with fundamental human rights in the asylum Border Procedure.
The Border Procedure is a type of accelerated asylum procedure that mainly applies to nationals of countries with low recognition rates for international protection, and to those who mislead the authorities or pose a threat to national security.
Accommodation rules change
Minister of State for Migration Colm Brophy has also announced the introduction of an accommodation requirement for those seeking to have their family join them in the State.
These changes will take effect from today (12 June).
Holders of general employment permits and some other sponsors will have to provide supporting documentation to show that they can accommodate their joining family members, while all sponsors will be ineligible if they are in certain supported accommodation.
The financial thresholds for Irish citizens applying to be joined by spouses and children are also increasing from today.