Minister of State Niall Collins meets European counterparts at Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial meeting in Cyprus to discuss migration, internal security and organised crime
- Published on: 23 January 2026
- Last updated on: 23 January 2026
- Discussed a sustainable approach to returns and reintegration
- Exchanged views on security measures required to protect free movement for European Citizens while preventing abuse of a border-free Union
- Discussed strengthening proceeds of crime recovery as a key part of tackling serious and organised crime
Niall Collins TD, Minister of State with special responsibility for International Law, Law Reform and Youth Justice, represented Ireland at a meeting this week of European Justice and Home Affairs Ministers in Cyprus.
The meeting focused on migration, internal security and tackling serious and organised crime by strengthening the recovery of proceeds of crime.
On the first day of the meeting, Ministers discussed the introduction of a more coordinated approach to returns and reintegration that is efficient and sustainable and discussed prioritising the return of anybody who poses a security threat or who has committed serious offences.
Speaking about the issues, Minister Collins said:
“Ireland is acutely aware of the need for a coherent and coordinated approach to addressing irregular migration that spans the whole migration trajectory, from origin to destination.
“We, like our EU partners, want to increase the rate and pace of returns. Reintegration supports are important to ensure the effectiveness of voluntary returns and have increased the number of voluntary returns from Ireland.
“ Ireland will always act in full compliance with international law and human rights and returning those who have criminal convictions or pose a security threat is a priority for us. We are ready to work with our EU partners to develop further coordinated action, particularly if issues of criminality arise.”
Ministers also discussed additional internal security needs to protect free movement for European citizens and prevent secondary movements of migrants in a border free Union.
Contributing to the discussion, Minister Collins said:
“The importance of the Schengen area and what it represents in terms of the success of the Union, should not be underestimated.
“Neither should the challenges faced in protecting the EU’s external borders and in preventing secondary movement of migrants in a borderless European Union.
“As Ireland approaches our Presidency of the Council of the European Union, we will work with our partners to ensure that the Schengen area is robust, secure and functions as intended.”
Minsters also discussed how the targeting the assets of those involved in organised crime can be a key component of combating organised crime, while also exchanging views and national practices on how to strengthen asset recovery in an evolving financial landscape, including through greater public-private partnerships.
Ministers and officials also presented on their national approaches to diverting young people who use drugs away from the criminal justice system, including by using alternatives to detentions that have been proven to be effective.
Ministers also discussed how the European Union might support Member States in further developing such initiatives.
It was noted that Ireland’s Programme for Government and National Drugs Strategy, which sets out a health-led approach to drug use and promotes a more compassionate and humane approach to people who use drugs, is very much in line with the EU Drugs Strategy and Action Plan.
ENDS…///
Notes for editors
Ireland is not part of the Schengen Area but takes part in police cooperation elements, namely the Schengen Information System.
Ireland is not part of the Schengen Area Borders code as its operation is not compatible with the Common Travel Area with the UK.