Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I trust that the Ministers of State will be here in due course but I will start with my own contribution.

First, in discussing migration, it obviously makes sense to look beyond Ireland's borders at the broader picture of what is happening on the Continent as a whole, particularly when we consider that for the majority of applicants arriving in Ireland, this is not their first destination. All across Europe, states are facing the challenges that accompany increasing rates of migration. Our own situation in Ireland is no exception and we should not be the exception in looking for solutions. For Ireland to isolate itself at this point as these challenges grow in number and complexity would be a mistake, both in our role as Europeans and in addressing the undeniable need to overhaul, rebuild, improve and speed up our immigration system.

Ireland has thrived due to our co-operation in international agreement and especially with our European counterparts. To me, it is clear that a shared European response is needed to better respond to the challenges of asylum and migration. A better response means managing the flow of people coming to our country in a way that makes sure we can receive people and deliver the services required under international law, under the 1951 convention for refugees, under European law and under the basic tenants of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Fundamental rights are enshrined throughout the EU migration and asylum pact, as with all European legislation. Provision in the pact will ensure applicants have access to free legal counselling at first instance, free legal supports if they appeal and access to an interpreter where required. There are also provisions for individuals who present with special reception needs or special procedural needs, including for medical reasons.

From the very beginning, Ireland has negotiated on this pact from a human-rights-based position. As a result of those negotiations, the rights, guarantees and safeguarding of minors have been strengthened. Crucially, the best interests of the child shall always be a primary consideration no matter what, in accordance with Article 24.2 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The Commission has identified safeguards for the vulnerable as one of the building blocks within the common implementation plan. This will ensure the aim of protecting the vulnerable does not fall through the cracks when making the pact operational. It should also be noted that the relevant United Nations bodies, namely, the UNHCR and IOM, have welcomed the adaptation of the pact as it will lead to a more predictable co-ordinated and humane response to regular irregular migration challenges. The Minister for Justice has guaranteed that management of our migration system under the pact will be done with full respect for human rights. We must also provide alternative pathways for admission to the Union, including increased labour mobility and study opportunities for migrants. Resettlement and humanitarian admissions are also part of this comprehensive approach.

Opting in to the pact will mean the following changes. There will be stronger border security, faster processing of all applications with legally binding timeframes for decision-making. It will mean rapid, fast-tracked processing at designated centres for people who arrive with no documents or from countries with low recognition rates. It will mean placing a greater focus on returning unsuccessful applicants and finally, being part of a new solidarity mechanism where EU member states will provide or avail of support as needed. The overall aim is to make the asylum system more efficient and deliver certainty and clarity at a faster rate to those in need of asylum, ensuring those who need to claim asylum can do so while those who do not are processed swiftly. The pact will streamline asylum procedures with legally binding timeframes and clear standards. It will protect the rights of asylum seekers, establish EU-wide standards for refugee status qualifications and make asylum return and border procedures quicker and more effective. The implementation of the pact will dovetail with a new comprehensive accommodation strategy for which my colleague, Deputy Roderic O'Gorman, has recently secured Cabinet approval. This plan will see us moving away from our reliance on private providers of accommodation, such as small hotels, by delivering 14,000 State-owned beds by 2028. Together, these policy initiatives will ensure we can manage our migration system in a sustainable way into the future. Ireland cannot deal with migration on its own. We need co-operation and an approach that offers us all in Europe a real opportunity to work together to design a fast, fair and effective system, based on the equitable sharing of responsibility and that works for everyone.

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