The legislation is linked to the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, due to take effect across the bloc in June, which the Government endorsed in 2024. Ministers have described it as a landmark overhaul of asylum law, introducing standardised decision-making processes, defined timelines and tighter rules on screening, monitoring and reception conditions.

The Council of State – comprising current and former presidents, taoisigh, tánaistí and senior judicial figures, alongside presidential appointees – met for the first time under Ms Connolly’s presidency. Attendees included former presidents Mary Robinson, Mary McAleese and Michael D Higgins, and former taoisigh Enda Kenny and Leo Varadkar.

In a statement, Áras an Uachtarán said: “The concerns that led to the President calling a meeting of the Council of State remain.

“However, when considering any particular piece of legislation, the President must be cognisant of Article 34.3 of Bunreacht na hÉireann, which provides that no court can question the validity of any legislation deemed constitutional following a referral by the President to the Supreme Court.

“In this context, the capacity of a putative litigant to take a case on the basis of facts rather than abstract grounds has to be taken into account.”

The statement added the decision to sign the bill “does not close off any actions sought by any person to challenge the provisions of the bill in the future”.

Justice minister Jim O’Callaghan welcomed the move, saying: “This is the most significant reform of asylum law in the history of the State.

“We need to ensure that, together with our EU partners, our laws are fit for purpose, efficient and sustainable.

“The new rules will take effect from 12 June 2026.”