James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This is a Schengen measure, but Ireland will align with these provisions in national law insofar as is possible. We will also have access to this important security information.

The Eurodac regulation improves the current IT system that allows us to check whether someone has claimed international protection in another member state, thereby enhancing data collected on irregular migration. The asylum procedures regulation provides for faster and fairer processing of asylum applications across the EU. Accelerated decisions will be made within three months, inadmissibility decisions within two months and ordinary applications within six months. This will result in people spending less time in State accommodation, thereby representing a saving to the Exchequer. This efficiency will also aid in effective returns of unsuccessful applicants to their country of origin. It will also provide for appeals, safeguards and improved access to legal assistance.

The asylum qualification regulation provides for some small refinements to the criteria to qualify for asylum and subsidiary protection and the rights of persons who benefit from these statuses. The return border procedure regulation is a Schengen measure that Ireland is not part of. It requires member states to return those who were refused protection under the border procedure within 12 weeks. However, we intend to provide for similar provisions in Irish law.

The asylum and migration management regulation, AMMR, addresses the imbalance between responsibility and solidarity on migration across the European Union. It seeks to reduce secondary movement, which is important for Ireland. The AMMR will replace Dublin III. This more effective system will allow Ireland to identify and return secondary movers to the responsible member state with greater success.

To balance this responsibility, which will largely fall to front-line member states such as Italy, Greece and Cyprus, the AMMR introduces a mandatory solidarity pool. This pool will be contributed to on a fair-share basis and enables affected member states to access support. Based on current figures, Ireland’s fair share amounts to 2.16%, which translates to 648 relocations per annum or a financial contribution of €12.96 million.

Ireland will decide how we want to contribute. This may take the form of relocations, financial contributions, offsetting against applicants not returned under take-back processes or a combination of these. It is incorrect to say that we are obliged to relocate people under this regulation.

The reception conditions directive will further harmonise reception conditions, such as accommodation, subsistence provisions, access to the labour market and detention, across member states. This harmonisation will reduce incentives for asylum seekers to move from one member state to another, which is important for Ireland.

The crisis and force majeure regulation provides for specific rules that can be applied in cases of migratory crisis.

The resettlement regulation establishes a Union resettlement framework for the annual resettlement of a certain number of third country nationals to the member states. While member states are required to pledge the number of persons it will resettle each year, it is possible to make a pledge of zero.

Overall, it is estimated that the reduction in costs, including for processing and accommodation, in comparison with the current system will be in the region of 25% to 30% if we opt in. If we do not opt in, it is estimated that the overall costs, including processing and accommodation, in comparison with the current system would be would be at least 20% greater than current costs. I have highlighted the improvements that are foreseen under the pact as a comprehensive package of measures. The pact is the best option to improve our international protection while working in harmony with our European counterparts. I have brought this motion to the House because it allows us to tackle this challenging issue head on and will benefit Ireland.