Latest news with #GeneralScheme
Irish Independent
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Sinn Féin to fight Government ‘line by line' on reforms to Triple Lock
Today at 11:23 Sinn Féin will fight Government 'line by line' on its so called Triple Lock Bill, TD Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire has said. The General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025 looks to reform Ireland's Triple Lock, which requires a UN resolution as well as a vote of the Dáil and Government approval to deploy Irish Troops. Register for free to read this story Register and create a profile to get access to our free stories. You'll also unlock more free stories each week. Already registered? Log In
The Journal
15-07-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Ireland's planned overhaul of asylum system may end up mired in 'legal uncertainty and dysfunction'
IRELAND IS STRUGGLING to be ready for the EU's planned overhaul of the asylum system, according to a leading Irish human rights body. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has said it fears that the scale of changes – which are supposed to be implemented by next June – are simply not feasible for the government and will result in an asylum system 'prone to legal challenge, administrative dysfunction and human rights violations'. The government is proceeding with the fresh legislation to bring Ireland in line with EU requirements under the Asylum and Migration Pact. The EU pact seeks to create uniform rules around the identification and speeding up of decisions on asylum claims of people who arrive from outside the EU, and to develop a common database about new arrivals to Europe. A 'solidarity mechanism' is critical to the plan – this aims to ensure all countries share responsibility for asylum applications, rather than those that are at the edge of Europe, such as Italy and Greece. But in its initial analysis of legislation which proposes to introduce a new international protection system in Ireland , the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission said it has 'grave concerns' over the fairness and effectiveness of the new proposed asylum system. The commission raised concerns over the ability of the state to meet the challenge and as to whether it was going to trample over the rights of people seeking refuge. Advertisement Commission publishes observations on the General Scheme of the International Protection Bill 2025 In its observations on the General Scheme of the International Protection Bill 2025 (attached), the Commission expressed deep concern that implementation of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact ('the Pact') could introduce a system prone to legal challenge, administrative dysfunction, and human rights violations. Liam Herrick, Chief Commissioner said there were particular concerns over the proposals regarding detention of asylum seekers, access to legal representation and counselling, and the treatment of children vulnerable persons give rise to particular concerns. The proposed legislation for Ireland would broaden the circumstances under which an individual can be detained. It would include the power to arrest and detain applicants without a warrant if they refuse to travel to screening centres, with no absolute time limit on this detention. Children could also be arrested and detained without a warrant under the proposals. This was also of concern to the commission as Ireland is the only country governed by the EU Pact that has not yet ratified the Optional Protocol on the Convention Against Torture, meaning that the State will fail to afford applicants the protections deriving from the protocol. 'This is a once-in-a-generation overhaul of our asylum system. We must get it right,' Herrick said. 'In our analysis of the current draft proposals, the commission believes the State is in danger of introducing a system that fails to respect and vindicate the fundamental rights of international protection applicants.' While Herrick said the commission recognises the complexity and challenges facing the State in implementing the Migration Pact, it also believes that many aspects of new proposals are 'impractical and may lead to the new system becoming mired in litigation and uncertainty'. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Examiner
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Bill to scrap UN approval on sending troops overseas to begin pre-legislative scrutiny
Draft legislation scrapping the requirement for UN approval to send Irish Defence Forces abroad and increase the number of personnel that can be dispatched, from 12 to 50, without a Dáil vote has been published. The so-called triple lock demands that any deployment overseas above 12 soldiers must have Government, Dáil, and UN approval. The General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025 is due to begin pre-legislative scrutiny this Thursday, with the Government hoping to have this process completed before the summer recess. The proposal to remove the UN block on Ireland sending troops aboard on a peacekeeping mission is being resisted by opposition parties. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said earlier this month that the party would 'fight like hell' to stop the Government's plans, adding that it would "defend" the policy of neutrality. Neutrality is not mentioned in the bill and there are no provisions in it that have a legal impact on the Constitution, which states that Ireland cannot join an EU 'common defence'. The Government has said that the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, which includes Russia, should not have a veto over a decision of a sovereign nation such as Ireland on where its troops can go. It has also said the scrapping of the veto will not impact the policy of military neutrality. Ireland is thought to be unique in requiring, in law, UN approval to deploy its troops abroad. Head six of the Defence Bill states that a contingent or members of the Defence Forces can be dispatched and deployed outside the State 'as part of an International Force' on foot of a Dáil resolution approving the dispatch. It says that a subsequent resolution is not required for a replacement contingent. In addition, it states that a resolution is not required to send a contingent of 'not more than 50 members', which reflects the size of a platoon and support. 'International force' It states the definition of an 'international force' is a body established, led, or controlled by the UN; Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe; EU; or any other regional arrangement that operates in a manner consistent with the UN Charter and international law. It states the international force will operate for the 'purposes of peace-keeping, conflict prevention, and strengthening international security' consistent with the principles of the UN Charter. It adds that the force will 'contribute to the maintenance of international peace and security', in conformity with the principles of justice and international law. Head seven covers the dispatch of personnel abroad for reasons other than an international force. New reasons included in the 2025 bill are: Military close protection duties or security duties in high-risk environments, including Irish embassies and ministers travelling to such regions; Undertaking humanitarian tasks or civilian evacuation operations of Irish citizens from high risk and/or volatile security environments; Participating in international operations to counter illicit drug trafficking by sea and air. The provision says the defence minister may also authorise dispatch of personnel abroad for training or participation in sporting events. A separate provision of the bill updates the law on the suspension of enlisted members and officers — including in cases where they are charged, but not yet convicted of a serious criminal offence. It also obliges personnel to tell their commanding officer if they are under investigation in connection with a criminal offence and to keep them updated on developments. The law provides for the minister of defence to make regulations covering procedures regarding suspensions. The chair of the Oireachtas committee on defence and national security, Sinn Féin TD Rose Conway-Walsh, has indicated that the eight weeks allotted for pre-legislative scrutiny may not be enough.
Irish Daily Mirror
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Daily Mirror
Tanaiste provides Cabinet update on changes to the 'Triple Lock'
Plans to change the 'Triple Lock' will be published this week and debated before the Dáil summer recess. Tánaiste and Defence Minister Simon Harris updated Cabinet on the progress of the General Scheme of the Defence (Amendment) Bill 2025 on Tuesday. This will "reform the triple lock and reinforce Ireland's ability to pursue an independent foreign policy". The Triple Lock requires three stages of approval to allow Defence Forces personnel to travel overseas on peacekeeping missions. This includes Government approval, Dáil approval and UN approval. However, the Government is seeking to remove the United Nations' approval, arguing that permanent members of the UN Security Council, including China and Russia, could veto the deployment of Irish troops on missions. Mr Harris told Cabinet that the general scheme of the Bill to change the legislation will be published later this week. The Tánaiste then intends to write to the chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Defence and National Security to request consideration of the Heads of Bill as contained in the General Scheme and a decision on whether pre-legislative scrutiny is appropriate in this case. If pre-legislative scrutiny is to progress, he will ask that the committee treat the matter as a priority. A spokesman for the Tánaiste said it is hoped that pre-legislative scrutiny could be completed before the Dáil rises for its summer recess in mid-July.
