Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is very fundamental reform of European migration law and practice. There are legally binding timeframes for making decisions on international protection applications and appeals and a greater focus on efficient returns for unsuccessful applicants and accelerated processing, including for those from safe countries, those with no documents or false documents and those who have crossed borders illegally. It is, therefore, a toughening up, and a much stricter regime will come into place. It will take time because in order for Ireland to operationalise the pact at the same time as other member states in 2026, work on transposing legislation and operational reform will have to happen.

That is now beginning at pace. I have no issue. I am sure the committee is at leave to give further consideration to this, if it so wishes. That is a matter we can take up with the Chairperson of the justice committee. I will reflect on it from a governmental perspective. We are not rushing this but it is normally the committee that is responsible for any given piece of legislation. There is a distance to go here yet. I am open to a full debate.

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