Colm Brophy

Taking place approximately 100 days after the entry into application of the new EU Migration and Asylum Pact, the conference represented an opportunity to take stock and discuss the initial phase of implementation and how technological solutions can potentially enhance asylum and reception systems.

The event brought together high-level political, policy and technical stakeholders alongside representatives from academia, civil society and the media.

Speaking at the event, Mr Brophy said: “We are now approximately 100 days into implementation of the Pact, and while it is still early, the experience to date in Ireland demonstrates that the Pact is delivering a more efficient and effective asylum system. My department engaged in significant preparation prior to commencement to ensure readiness for the new timelines required under the Pact. That work is now paying off.

“The Pact has strengthened our ability to establish identity and assess vulnerabilities at an early stage. Enhanced screening measures, improved document verification capabilities and more effective use of electronic evidence are supporting more robust and informed decision-making.

“Access to rights and procedural safeguards remains essential. High uptake of legal counselling and legal representation demonstrates that applicants are engaging with the system and that procedural guarantees are operating well.

“We are seeing encouraging progress in decision-making, with over 800 first-instance decisions already issued and the first cohort of cases moving through the entire process from screening to final outcome. The median processing time to receive a first decision has come down to just 33 days.

“The first 100 days suggest that the Pact is moving us in the right direction. The focus now should be on maintaining momentum, harnessing more technological solutions in the asylum system and continuing to work collaboratively with other member states.”

The International Protection Act 2026 entered into effect on 12 June 2026 and gives effect to the EU Migration and Asylum Pact.

The Pact aims to provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU, including standardised processing times for decisions: six months for a standard procedure, three months for accelerated and border procedures, and two months for processing applicants who have applied for protection elsewhere in Europe.