Jim O'Callaghan

Jim O’Callaghan yesterday secured government approval to publish the general scheme of the International Protection Bill 2025, which will ultimately replace the International Protection Act 2015.

It forms part of Ireland’s implementation of the controversial EU Migration and Asylum Pact.

The general scheme will now be referred to an Oireachtas committee for pre-legislative scrutiny before it proceeds to drafting.

Mr O’Callaghan said: “The current international protection system is not working effectively, with decisions taking far too long.

“The pact offers us an opportunity both here in Ireland and across the EU to reset the system. This general scheme is an important next step in one of the most significant reforms of Irish asylum law in decades.

“It is my belief that implementing a firmer migration system is a key element in protecting the integrity of our immigration framework, while supporting those in need of international protection. This new legislation will facilitate the new changes that will be introduced.”

The EU Migration and Asylum Pact has been criticised by human rights campaigners who say it will water down protections for vulnerable people fleeing war and persecution.

However, Mr O’Callaghan said the new rules would continue to protect the rights of applicants for international protection.

Changes under the new legislation include “streamlining the decisions process, streamlining the returns process, a new ‘border procedure’ with a three-month time limit for decisions, and new institutional arrangements for international protection decisions and appeals”.

Mr O’Callaghan said: “It is also proposed that oral hearings of appeals will be significantly more limited than at present under the International Protection Act 2015.

“Fewer oral hearings at appeal stage will allow decisions to be made without the need for applicants, legal representatives and translators all to be present.

“Appeal officers will make decisions based on the information on file from the initial decision and any additional written information submitted in the appeal process. This will drive efficiency and time savings.

“These reforms will continue to ensure the rights of applicants, under EU and Irish law, to be heard in the application process and to have an effective remedy in the appeal process.”

He added: “These changes are ultimately about giving those who are entitled to international protection the opportunity to rebuild their lives here quickly and, at the same time, ensuring faster removals in respect of those who do not meet the criteria.”