Ireland has approved the International Protection Bill, introducing new asylum measures aimed at accelerating decision-making and improving supports for applicants, reports Breaking News.
The legislation is connected to the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, which is set to take effect across member states in June, reports Breaking News.
Civil society organisations have voiced strong opposition to the bill, arguing that it was pushed through too quickly without sufficient debate.
Lynsey Dolan of Newstalk said discussion on the bill ended after it was guillotined in the Dáil on Wednesday night, meaning TDs had less time than usual to scrutinise or challenge its provisions before it passed, reports Breaking News.
TheLiberal.ie won’t quit
Please support us with a small donation on PayPal!
The Government has defended the measures as both reasonable and necessary, but critics maintain that the system is being rushed and could face difficulties in implementation.
The bill is intended to speed up asylum processing, though concerns have been raised about human rights issues, including the potential detention of applicants, restricted early access to legal advice, and tighter rules on family reunification, reports Breaking News.
Following the bill’s passage, Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan described it as “a pivotal step” towards establishing a rules-based migration and asylum system in Ireland and across the EU.
“The Pact recognises that migration requires sharing responsibility, robust and fair management of external borders, and stronger governance of asylum and migration policies. It remains clear that migration is inherently a transnational issue. No country can deal with the challenges around migration alone. I am proud of the committed and collective work that has been done to get the Bill to this stage. I want to particularly thank officials in my Department, the Office of Parliamentary Council, and the Advisory Council in the Attorney General’s Office. I look forward to seeing the results that the Pact will yield,” reports Breaking News.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
