Statement from the Minister for Justice Helen McEntee TD on the EU Parliament’s approval of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact

I am committed to ensuring that Ireland’s International Protection system is robust and rules based, and that our borders are protected.

That is why today’s approval of the EU Asylum and Migration Pact by the European Parliament is very welcome. The agreement marks a historic step, which provides a robust legislative framework to address migration and asylum across the EU.

It is a shared European solution to a shared European challenge. When implemented, it will ensure European asylum systems are cohesive, fair, and efficient.

Under the Pact, asylum procedures and processes across the EU will be harmonised. There will be a reduction in the time applicants for International Protection spend waiting for decisions, so that people who qualify for protection get it quickly, while those who don’t are returned more efficiently and more quickly to their country of origin. This will reduce the pressure on state provided accommodation.

The Pact’s enhanced screening and security measures will reduce irregular secondary movements of asylum seekers. This will be particularly impactful for Ireland, while the solidarity and responsibility provisions will assist member states most acutely affected by irregular migration.

ENDS…///

Notes to Editors.

In order to implement the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, the Minister will put in place a range of measures which will include:

The full repeal of the International Protection Act 2015.
Legally binding timeframes for making decisions on international protection applications and appeals.
A greater focus on efficient returns for unsuccessful applicants
Accelerated processing including for those from safe countries, those with no or false documents, and those who have crossed borders illegally.
Those who are processed under the border procedure will be accommodated in dedicated accommodation at locations at or near the border.
A new solidarity mechanism requiring countries to make a financial contribution, agree to relocate some asylum seekers or deploy personnel. These resources will be used to take the pressure off countries facing particular pressure.
The expansion of the Eurodac database, used to check migrants’ fingerprints, will enable even more information to be shared between countries.