Results 1-8 of 8 for segment:8898250 in 'Dáil debates'

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Agreements (23 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: The Attorney General's advice is never published. In voting for the Lisbon treaty, we did so in the full knowledge that migration is an EU competence and that we can choose to opt into measures. We cannot opt out but we choose to opt in to these measures. There is nothing being forced upon us, so there is no need for a referendum. With the figures we have for the distribution, if we...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Agreements (23 Apr 2024)

EU Agreements

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Agreements (23 Apr 2024)

Mattie McGrath: 4. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the Government intends to hold a referendum on whether the people agree to opt in or opt out of the EU pact on migration and asylum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17720/24]

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Agreements (23 Apr 2024)

Mattie McGrath: I ask the Minister if the Government intends to hold a referendum on whether the people agree to opt in or opt out of the EU pact on migration and asylum; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Agreements (23 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: I can assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to ensuring that our international protection system is robust and rules-based and that our borders are protected. A core part of my role as Minister for Justice is, of course, to uphold the Constitution at all times and I will always do so. I believe the new EU asylum and migration pact is a game changer for Ireland. It was agreed in...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Agreements (23 Apr 2024)

Mattie McGrath: As I said, Ireland has the opportunity to opt out or opt in thanks to the people voting a second time on the Lisbon treaty, and we achieved that the last time. Even a moderate like the Polish President, Donald Tusk, is saying he will not take any. The legal basis for Ireland to opt out of the migration treaty is contained under Lisbon, as I said. I believe this is a serious violation of...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Agreements (23 Apr 2024)

Helen McEntee: As the Deputy said, the people voted for the Lisbon treaty. What they voted for was the right for Ireland to opt in. The only constitutional requirement following on from that vote is that both Houses would adopt or vote on any decision taken to opt into any measure. We have done that on one occasion in the last few weeks when, with regard to people smuggling or human trafficking, we opted...

Ceisteanna ar Sonraíodh Uain Dóibh - Priority Questions: EU Agreements (23 Apr 2024)

Mattie McGrath: Ireland or any EU country can opt out of or opt into the pact. The stark reality of the EU migration pact, which is designed to streamline so-called migration policies and address the challenge of asylum seekers, is that Ireland is ceding control over its borders and, of course, immigration procedures. Slovakia has done an estimate of the cost if it does not take in the migrants and is...