Commencement of International Protection Act 2026

Jim O’Callaghan

The legislation represents the most significant reform of Irish asylum laws in the history of the State and gives effect to the EU Migration and Asylum Pact.

The objective of the Act is to provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure that is consistent with how asylum laws operate across the EU.

Under the Act, upon arrival to the State, applicants will be required to go through screening, which will involve enhanced security and identity checks and the taking of biometric data.

The Act also provides for faster processing, including an accelerated Border Procedure for some applicants, where all decisions and appeals will be concluded within three months.

The Border Procedure will be for applicants that are from a country where the proportion of decisions granting international protection is 20 per cent or lower. It can also be used for applicants who are known to have misled authorities or to have destroyed or disposed of an identity or travel document.

A new State body, the Tribunal for Asylum and Returns Appeals (TARA) will have responsibility for appeals, and the removal and deportations process will be faster and less bureaucratic.

Mr O’Callaghan said: “I have been very clear since taking office that Ireland must have a rules-based immigration system. Today, the commencement of the International Protection Act 2026 marks an important milestone in ensuring the integrity and efficiency of the asylum process, and further building public confidence in the system.

“This historic reform recognises that migration is a challenge not just at a national level but at a European level. Agreeing migration and asylum policy at an EU level means coordinated actions including sharing of information, reducing the number of people applying for protection in numerous EU countries and reviving the return of applicants to the first country they applied in.

“I want to sincerely thank the officials in my Department as well as those across government for their committed work in delivering this Programme for Government commitment.”

Decision-making under the Act will be faster, meaning successful applicants will be granted international protection sooner, and those whose applications are refused can be returned to their country of origin sooner.

Faster processing will result in increased savings to the exchequer with applicants spending less time in the International Protection process and in accommodation.

Mr O’Callaghan also today has appointed Her Honour Judge Karen Fergus as interim chief inspector of border procedures to monitor compliance with fundamental human rights in the asylum Border Procedure. Her Honour Judge Fergus is a retired judge of the Circuit Court.

Migration minister Colm Brophy said: “The International Protection Act is a much needed, radical reform of international protection in this country and will vastly improve efficiencies in the system. The faster processing under these new rules will mean that accommodation requirements and costs will reduce in the years ahead.”