Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will bring that question to the Minister. The Senator raised it in both her contributions. I will read the closing part of the statement from the Department.

On behalf of the Minister, Deputy McEntee, I again thank the Senator for raising this matter. Negotiations are progressing at pace and I am informed that the Spanish Presidency of the Council would like to have agreement on the final text by the end of the Presidency term, which falls in December. The Department of Justice supports the measures in the pact as it provides for a structural response to the challenges posed by irregular and forced migration. In this context, the Department has actively contributed and will continue to contribute to the trilogue negotiations.

A permanent structural solution to the challenges posed by irregular and forced migration will be greatly assisted through the successful conclusion and negotiation of the pact. Unlike other member states, Ireland would automatically be bound by these measures once they are agreed and we will decide whether we will opt in to them. In this context, the Department of Justice is actively examining the proposals that are the subject of negotiations, with a view to obtaining a decision from Government on whether Ireland should opt in to the measures once they have been adopted.