Liam Herrick

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) this week warned the Oireachtas justice committee that it has significant concerns with the general scheme of the International Protection Bill 2025.

As it current stands, the bill risks undermining key protections for people seeking international protection in Ireland, it said.

It also said the general scheme is “incomplete” and lacking in clarity, limiting the ability of the Oireachtas and experts to meaningfully scrutinise the legislation.

Chief commissioner Liam Herrick said: “This legislation goes further than the EU Pact requires in restricting rights and freedoms, but falls short in the measures required to protect them.

“That imbalance is especially stark in its treatment of vulnerable people — including children, victims of trafficking, and people with disabilities.”

One of the major concerns raised by the Commission concerns access to justice for international protection applicants.

The bill’s proposal to replace legal advice at the initial stages of the asylum process with “legal counselling” would be a “regressive step”, it said, as the new term is not defined and could deny applicants the confidential, independent legal advice they currently receive.

The Commission has recommended that the State continues to provide full legal advice, as it does currently and as the EU Pact permits.