Minister Jim O'Callaghan meets with his European counterparts at Justice and Home Affairs Council
- Foilsithe:
- An t-eolas is déanaí:
- Ministers discussed the use of voluntary and enforced returns of migrants with no legal permission to be in the EU, and implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum
- Agreed position on the newly published EU Drugs Strategic Framework, balancing health and security responses
- Discussed the impact of geopolitical developments in the Middle East on EU internal security
Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Jim O’Callaghan, met with his EU counterparts this week in Brussels to discuss a range of security, migration and justice related issues.
Meeting with Home Affairs Ministers on Thursday, views on a number of migration related issues were exchanged, including engagement on transit countries, incentivising voluntary returns of migrants with no legal permission to be in the EU, and the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum.
Speaking about those discussions, Minister O’ Callaghan said:
“This was a timely opportunity to reflect on migration trends. Compared to 2024, illegal border crossings into the EU reduced by 25% in 2025. Given the impact geopolitical developments can have on migratory flows, ensuring a cohesive, efficient and collective approach to managing irregular migration across the EU is more important than ever.
“Ensuring we have the capacity to protect and support those most in need of protection also requires us to have an effective returns system for those with no legal right to remain in the EU and who refuse to leave. The conversation on promoting early voluntary return and reintegration in a sustainable way, while at the same time having a credible enforced returns system, was welcome and productive.”
Ministers also exchanged information on national progress to implement the Pact on Migration and Asylum, which will come into force in June. Updating his counterparts on Ireland’s preparations, Minister O’Callaghan said:
“Ireland remains committed to the implementation of the Pact in full and work is continuing at pace to ensure our readiness by 12 June. It is essential that all EU Member States implement the Pact in full to ensure fast, efficient and coherent processing of international protection applications.
“The necessary legislation in Ireland, the International Protection Bill 2026, is progressing through the Oireachtas, and it will be enacted and brought into operation in time for the Pact’s introduction.”
Ministers also exchanged views on the external dimensions of migration and the EU’s engagement with key countries of transit. The conversation focused in particular on EU supports to Lebanon and Libya as countries of strategic interest, given the volume of migrants who transit through there to European countries. Commenting on the discussion, Minister O’Callaghan said:
"The EU is committed to taking a whole-of-route approach to addressing irregular migration. This means engaging with and supporting capacity building in countries such as Lebanon and Libya, through which so many migrants transit. Supporting countries in similar situations will help to manage migration flows and the living conditions of migrants.”
Ministers also agreed conclusions on the EU Drugs Strategic Framework, which comprises the recently published EU Drugs Strategy and its implementation framework.
Commenting on the framework and the Strategy, Minister O’Callaghan said:
"Ireland is fully committed to addressing the harms caused by substance misuse and to the implementation and resourcing of the 2026–2030 EU Drugs Strategic Framework. Substance misuse harms our citizens and our communities. Those most affected are often vulnerable and there is clearly a need to take a health led approach to supporting those with addiction issues. This approach must be balanced with determined action to interrupt and bring to justice those involved in organised crime groups fuelling the illicit drug trade. These will be priorities we will concentrate on advancing during the Irish Presidency.”
Over a working lunch, Ministers were briefed on the rapidly evolving situation in the Middle East and discussed the potential impacts on the EU's internal security.
A discussion was also held on the future mandate of Europol, where Ministers provided strategic guidance to the Commission on the future structure and mandate of Europol.
On Friday, Justice Ministers agreed to a general approach for the Regulation on jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition and enforcement of measures and cooperation in matters relating to the protection of adults.
The proposed Regulation covers adults who, “by reason of an impairment or insufficiency of their personal faculties, are not in a position to protect their own interests”.
Voicing Ireland’s support for the Regulation, Minister O’Callaghan said:
“The promotion of the rights of disabled people is a priority focus for the Irish Government. We strongly support the objectives of the proposal to protect the interests of adults, who require help with decision making, in cross-border situations.
“This Regulation will make a positive difference for people, throughout the Union, who require, or will require, support with decision making.”
Ministers exchanged views on recent challenges affecting the independence and safety of lawyers and judges, and the potential impact of such challenges on access to justice, mutual trust and the rule of law. Commenting on the discussion the Minister said:
“Protecting the independence of the judiciary, and the legal professions, is essential to upholding core EU values. Ireland fully supports any measures to protect, enhance and promote the rule of law across the Union and internationally. These values are intended to protect every individual citizen and ensure we all live in societies in which pluralism, justice, non-discrimination and equality prevail.”
Over a working lunch, Ministers exchanged views on addressing the threats arising from activities of organised crime groups within prisons.
Minister O’Callaghan said:
“All Member States face the issue of criminality behind prison walls, including violence, intimidation of staff and others, and attempts to smuggle illegal contraband into prisons.
“The Irish Prison Service takes an intelligence-led targeted approach to tackling these issues. This involves profiling prisoners to detect gang affiliations, the monitoring of vulnerable/volatile prisoners, and proactive decision making in relation to prisoner accommodation and access to regimes.
“The Irish Prison Service also maintains a growing network of operational and intelligence sharing relationships across the EU and beyond, designed to strengthen its response to organised crime. Information and experience sharing with our partners abroad is essential to ensuring we keep on top of these challenges.”
ENDS…///
