Troy welcomes plan for new International Protection Bill

Fianna Fáil Minister of State, Robert Troy believes the approval by Cabinet of the updated International Protection Bill will greatly improve the processing of international protection applications, and see a substantial reform of the international protection system.

The Justice Minister, Jim O’Callaghan, recently secured Cabinet approval to progress legislation that Troy says will lead to the most significant reform of Irish asylum laws in the history of the State in line with the EU Migration and Asylum Pact.

The Pact is a new EU framework to manage migration and asylum for the long-term. The overall objective of the Pact is to provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure. This will be achieved through convergence in asylum practices across the EU.

As part of this, the General Scheme of the International Protection Bill 2025 is intended to replace the International Protection Act 2015.

The approval by Cabinet will allow for the publication of the General Scheme and referral of the General Scheme to the relevant Oireachtas Committee for pre-legislative scrutiny, and for the drafting of the new Bill.

Commenting on the Bill, Minister Troy stated: “Along with many of my colleagues I have been highlighting the urgent need for reform of the International Protection system for some time. The current international 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.

"These important changes 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.

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.” Concluded Minister Troy.

The proposed legislation delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to “Implement the new EU Migration and Asylum Pact through a new International Protection Act", he said.