Minister Jim O’Callaghan publishes International Protection Bill 2026
- Foilsithe: 13 Eanáir 2026
- An t-eolas is déanaí: 13 Eanáir 2026
- Most significant reform of Irish asylum laws in the history of the State
The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan has today received approval to publish the International Protection Bill 2026, legislation that 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 Bill will put in place a new EU framework to manage migration and asylum for the long-term and will ensure Ireland’s policy aligns with other EU countries.
The overall objective of the Bill is to provide a fair, sustainable and efficient asylum procedure that is consistent with how asylum laws operate across the EU.
The Bill introduces faster processing of asylum claims with a much more efficient decision-making system. Faster processing will mean that applicants spend less time in IPAS accommodation, and it will significantly reduce the cost of the asylum system to the State. Faster decision-making will also mean that successful applicants will be granted international protection sooner, and those whose applications are refused can be returned to their country of origin sooner.
The International Protection Bill 2026 will replace the International Protection Act 2015.
Minister Jim O’Callaghan said:
“Today I secured Cabinet approval to publish the International Protection Bill that will lead to the most significant reform of Irish asylum laws in the history of the State.
"This government fundamentally believes in the right to claim asylum. We will always uphold our obligation on this important principle of international law for those who need our protection.
“At the same time, I recognise that our current system for processing international protection applications can be more efficient, faster and less costly.
“The International Protection Bill is a reset of our international protection system that will streamline decisions and the returns process, introduce a new ‘border procedure’ with a three-month time limit for decisions, appeals, and return orders in appropriate cases.
“The Bill will also create a new second instance body called the Tribunal for Asylum and Returns Appeals (TARA) and allow for fewer oral appeal hearings to make the process more efficient.
“It will also establish a new Chief Inspector of Asylum Border Procedures - an independent rights monitor.
“These reforms will continue to ensure the rights of applicants, under EU and Irish law.”
The Minister and the Attorney General are developing provisions for inclusion in the Bill to give effect to the proposals, approved by Government on 26 November 2025, that adults who are beneficiaries of international protection will not be entitled to seek family reunification for a period of three years following their grant of international protection.
They must also demonstrate that they are financially self-sufficient. This will be assessed by reference to appropriate income thresholds to be prescribed by the Minister. They will also have to show financial self-sufficiency and not be in receipt of certain social welfare payments or owe money relating to International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) payments.
The Minister proposes to bring forward amendments at Committee Stage to address Material Reception Conditions, Restrictions of Movement, Detention, Special Reception Needs and Labour Market Access, as required by the EU Reception Conditions Directive.
Other matters to be dealt with by amendments to the Bill during the legislative process include legal counselling, legal advice and legal aid, and matters relating to data sharing.
Minister Colm Brophy added:
“This new legislation reflects a shared European approach to asylum, aligning Ireland’s procedures with those applied across the EU.
“By strengthening convergence, clarity and consistency, it delivers a more streamlined, firm, fair and effective international protection system, in line with Ireland’s national and international obligations.
“The legislation delivers on the Programme for Government commitment to ‘Implement the new EU Migration and Asylum Pact through a new International Protection Act.’"
The Bill will now be presented to the Houses of the Oireachtas and follow the standard parliamentary process over the coming months with a view to enactment in the Spring session, so that it can become operational as required by EU law by 12 June 2026.
The pre-legislative scrutiny report on the General Scheme, including 92 recommendations, was published on 1 December. Some recommendations have been given effect in the published Bill, and others will be considered as the Bill proceeds through the legislative process.
ENDS
Notes for editors:
The text of the Bill will be available on the Oireachtas website in the coming days.
In July 2025, the Department launched the first phase of pilot pact implementation programme. The first phase aimed to test the ability to process cases end-to-end within the timeframe of the future Border Procedure. This requires a first and second-instance decision, with a return order where appropriate, delivered within 12 weeks, and a return effected within a further 12 weeks. During this first phase, the implementation team also mirrored some elements of the screening process as well as parts of the future border procedure that are permitted under current legislation.
Phase one was conducted from 1 July to 7 October 2025 and included applicants from three designated safe countries of origin, Georgia, India and Brazil.
During the initial three months, pilot applicants were successfully processed within the 12-week timeline permitted for first and second instance decisions under the Border Procedure. On average, cases took less than 60 days from application to final decision being issued.
This represents a significant shift from the current median processing times in the IPO and IPAT, and therefore a significant reduction in costs for accommodation and other supports.
On 8 October 2025 the second phase of the transition pilot was launched with the addition of the remaining 12 designated safe countries of origin. Early this year future phases of the pilot will be implemented in advance of the Pact coming into effect in June 2026.