Latest news with #EUMigrationPact
Extra.ie
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Extra.ie
Immigration screening at risk as EU data unavailable to Ireland
There are fears immigration officials won't be able to perform robust identity checks and security screening on asylum seekers due to the country's lack of access to key EU security databases, a Government report has warned. The report on the introduction of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum is expected to come into force in June of next year. It says Ireland 'may not be able to carry out the most robust identity validation' due to the country's exclusion from the Schengen Area and the related IT border security systems. The report on the introduction of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum is expected to come into force in June of next year. Pic: Getty Images Under the 1985 Schengen Agreement, border controls between EU Member States on the European mainland were abolished. The Agreement allows people to travel from the likes of Sweden to Portugal without having to present their passports at national borders. However, the UK and Ireland opted out of the Schengen Agreement as a common travel area has existed between the two States since partition in 1923, with amendments on air travel in place since 1997. Under proposals in the EU Migration Pact, asylum seekers would be subjected to strict biometric security checks, such as providing fingerprints and facial screening. It is understood that the Government will have to recruit in the region of 400 staff to manage the new regime on asylum applications at a cost of € 32 million. Recently, it was revealed that 80% of migrants entering the Republic are doing so over the border. Pic: Getty Images Michael Murphy, a former director of military intelligence official with the Defence Forces, told RTÉ: 'One thing the plan does not address is our agreements with the United Kingdom on the movement of people across the border with Northern Ireland, and so that's a great weakness that is not addressed.' Recently, it was revealed that 80% of migrants entering the Republic are doing so over the border. The plan, which has been prepared for the Government in advance of the EU Migration Pact coming into effect, warns of a 'concern' that Ireland 'may not be able to adequately conduct screening' because it will not have access to the EU's Entry/ Exit system, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System, and the EU Visa Information System. The EU's Entry/Exit system is a new IT system to help Member States to manage the EU's external borders. It is due to be operational in October and will record the date and place of each entry and exit, facial images and fingerprints of travellers to the EU, and whether an individual has been refused entry to a country. According to the European Commission, the database is designed to prevent irregular immigration and identify travellers who have no right to enter, or have exceeded their permitted stay. Pic: Shutterstock According to the European Commission, the database is designed to prevent irregular immigration and identify travellers who have no right to enter, or have exceeded their permitted stay. The system can also identify travellers who are using fake identities or passports, and the information will be used to detect and investigate terrorist offences and other serious crimes. Minister for European Affairs Thomas Byrne also told RTÉ: 'We are part of the EU Migration Pact because Minister O'Callaghan wants a firm but fair asylum policy. 'We want to make sure that people coming to this country have a right to come to this country or are genuinely fleeing war or disaster, and that the system is not abused. 'We've been roundly criticised by the Opposition parties for joining the EU Migration Pact, and now they're criticising us because there are issues with it. 'We are looking at measures to ensure that every person coming into this country is screened, and we are looking at what is the best way to access information so that we can have our own screening system'
Extra.ie
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Extra.ie
State adds more than 700 new beds to International Protection system
There has been a net increase of more than 700 beds added to the International Protection system this year. The rise has come as the State tries to clamp down on the number of applications for protection, new figures show. The State currently accommodates more than 33,000 people in over 320 accommodation sites. Around 9,400 are children. There has been a net increase of more than 700 beds added to the International Protection system this year. Pic: Getty Images In August 2021, the State was accommodating approximately 7,000 people, meaning the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) have had to increase capacity by almost 400%. Currently, over 90% of all IPAS accommodation is provided commercially. In response to a parliamentary question from Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon, Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan confirmed the rise in beds. He said: 'In 2025, eight IPAS accommodation contracts have been terminated to date, accounting for approximately 140 bed spaces. I am informed that reasons for termination can vary, but can include non-compliance with contractual terms or with regulatory requirements like building and fire regulations, or planning matters. In the same period, 12 new IPAS accommodation contracts have been agreed, accounting for capacity of up to 848 bed spaces.' Gary Gannon. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos This means the State has added 708 extra beds into the system so far this year. Mr O'Callaghan said all offers of emergency accommodation were appraised by a dedicated team according to a range of factors. 'These include the site and its potential, value for money to the State, due diligence on the provider, and planning and regulatory matters,' the Fianna Fáil TD added. Jim O'Callaghan. Pic: Leah Farrell/ 'Consideration is also given to the location and locality, access to services and health, wellbeing and security factors.' He said the shift to more state-owned accommodation would align with 'wider reforms of the immigration system' under the EU Migration Pact to be implemented by summer 2026. 'The reforms being progressed should serve to support the protection of applicants' rights through the process, and avoid the need for very prolonged stays in temporary accommodation centres,' the minister said. There is also a push to increase the proportion of accommodation provided on State-owned sites. The development of a sustainable accommodation system over the coming months and years is designed to reduce reliance on commercial providers over time.
Irish Examiner
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
ieExplains: How will International Protection Bill affect immigration?
The Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan on Tuesday brought a new bill to Cabinet which will see changes in how Ireland's immigration system works. The International Protection Bill 2025 sets out to implement an accelerated processing system for those from designated safe countries of origin, applicants who have received protection elsewhere in Europe, citizens of countries from which there are the largest number of applicants, and countries which have already seen numbers applying for asylum here dropping. First things first, why do we need this? The bill is, in part, needed to prepare Ireland's legislative framework for the incoming EU Migration Pact. The pact is a new EU framework to manage migration and asylum for the long-term. One of its key aims is to improve burden-sharing of asylum applications across the EU, due to some member states receiving a disproportionate number of international protection applicants. Ireland would be required to either relocate asylum seekers from other countries, or make a financial contribution to an EU-wide fund. Ireland could pay up to €13m into the EU fund instead of taking in 648 asylum seekers every year. Effectively, the pact wants the EU's laws to be in convergence and to speed up the processing of asylum applications. Ireland opted into the pact last year and it will come into effect next June, by when Ireland needs to have its laws in place. So what will change under this law? Given the focus of the pact, much of the headline changes to the system will focus on cutting processing times, particularly from countries which are considered "safe". How does it aim to do this? The new law aims to tackle long turnaround times in the current system in a number of ways. Firstly, it will make it unlawful if a decision is not made on an asylum application within three months for most cases. The three-month decision deadline will apply if a person has no documents, poses a security risk or is from a country where approvals are less than 20%. Other more complex cases will have a deadline of six months. It will also remove the use of oral hearings for appeals in most cases, with appeals set to go to what is being dubbed a "second instance body". Under the new laws, officers in the system will be able to directly issue decisions on international protection and returns — rather than recommendations. Does the legislation mean detention centres? While the legislation allows for detention centres, Mr O'Callaghan said he doesn't believe they will be used. He has, however, foreseen the use of so-called "screening centres" which are envisaged to be used as a "one stop shop" to register and lodge applications, complete relevant checks, determine the appropriate pathway for applicants, and to provide legal counselling. What are the stats on applications this year? Overall, there has been a drop of 42% in the number of applications in the first three months of 2025 when compared to the first three months of 2024. What has the Minister said? Mr O'Callaghan said his plans are not cruel and, in fact, sensible. 'At present, you'll be aware that the process of people applying for asylum and appealing any decisions at the international protection office can take up to three years. It's too long, it's too costly, it's unfair on the people who are going through the process. What I want to do is to achieve a much smoother and less costly process,' he said. What has the opposition reaction been? The Social Democrats' spokesperson Gary Gannon said the law "prioritises bureaucratic speed over human fairness" and said the Government is "chasing headlines". 'We're all in agreement that Ireland needs a far more efficient asylum process, but that doesn't mean it should have cruelty baked in," he said. 'This legislation is not about fixing what is broken - it is about chasing headlines, caving to far-right pressure, and abandoning our obligations to basic fairness and human rights." What happens next? The bill will undergo pre-legislative scrutiny over the next few months and will be published in full in November.
Irish Independent
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
All asylum applications and appeals to take no more than three months, Justice Minister says
Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan got approval from his colleagues in cabinet to begin drafting new asylum laws. The legislation will enact strict time limits for both the application and appeals process. It will also change the appeals process which will see an appeal not automatically take the form of an oral hearing. Speaking outside Government Buildings on Tuesday afternoon, Mr O'Callaghan said the current asylum laws in Ireland were not fit for purpose. 'They take too long. They're too costly in terms of having to provide accommodation for people who are going through the process. The purpose of the legislation that I'm introducing is to speed up the process,' Mr O'Callaghan said. While the new timelines will be three months, some applications could take up to six months or as little as two months, under the new law. Currently an application can take up to three years to be processed. 'Under that legislation, when it's enacted, there'll now be strict time limits within which the processing application and indeed appeal of asylum applications should have to be heard. In most cases, that strict time limit will be a period of three months,' Mr O'Callaghan said. While increased resources and staffing will result in shorter processing times, the minister said he is focused on speeding up the appeals process. 'I will be expediting the process of appeal. The opportunity to have an oral hearing on appeal level will not be the de facto position, which it is at present, an appeal hearing will only happen in exceptional circumstances,' Mr O'Callaghan said. ADVERTISEMENT Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon criticised the proposed changes to the law and the move to reduce processing time to three months. Mr Gannon said the sweeping changes could result in a system that is unduly harsh. However, Mr O'Callaghan said that was not the intention of these new laws. 'I don't think it will be cruel. In fact, what I think is cruel is for somebody to be in the asylum process and to have their application and consideration of it hanging over them for periods of three years,' Mr O'Callaghan said. 'I think it is much more efficient and fair if we have an asylum process that is determined within three months." The new rules will be voted on in the Dáil before the introduction of the EU Migration Pact next summer, which Ireland has already committed to signing up to. Under the proposed International Protection Bill 2025, oral hearings in cases where people have had their application for international protection rejected will be curtailed. The rules would also mean decisions on granting international protection and returns will no longer have to go to the Justice Minister for approval. Instead of this 'cumbersome' process, officers of the minister would be appointed to directly issue decisions in an effort to 'bring about new efficiencies'. The bill would establish a Second Instance Body to deal with appeals. The use of oral hearings – which can currently take up to a year to be heard and require the appointment of legal interpreters – will be 'extremely limited' in an effort to 'drive efficiency and savings,' according to a briefing note for the Cabinet. There will be a new 'border procedure' for quicker return of migrants which will apply to those who mislead authorities or present a security risk. All international protection applicants would be obliged to undergo screening. This would determine whether they pose a threat to national security or public order. However, screening would also involve health and vulnerability checks. Mr O'Callaghan, who signalled a tougher line on migration since taking over the portfolio in February, will tell the Cabinet there has been a 42pc drop in the number of international protection applications in the first three months of this year compared with last year. The Bill must be passed before Ireland implements the EU Migration Pact which is due to come into effect next year.
BreakingNews.ie
29-04-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Cabinet set to approve significant reform of asylum rules
Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan is seeking approval to progress legislation which will lead to significant changes in the State's international protection system. The Cabinet is expected to sign off on the proposals on Tuesday which will reform the current system to improve decision times. Advertisement The changes would introduce new limits on asylum seeker applications – a three-month deadline will be imposed for processing times, while the use of hearings will be restricted. A new State body will be introduced with responsibility for appeals, and officers will be given new powers to issue deportations without sign off from the Minister for Justice. The stricter regulations mean asylum seekers whose applications are denied will find it much harder to contest the decision. After Cabinet sign off, the new rules will be subject to a Dáil vote. It is understood the Government is hoping to get the legislation passed before the State implements the EU Migration Pact next year.
