Garret Kelleher (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an gCathaoirleach Gníomhach. I dtosach báire, cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit, and I acknowledge the work he has done in the area of migration to date and wish him every success in his term in office.

The Minister of State outlined plainly what we are considering, namely an opt-in that does not necessarily tie us to a particular course of action. Neither will it amount to a commitment by Ireland to any agreement. We will engage in a process and by doing so now rather than at a later stage, we will have more say on the agreement with our European partners, should we choose to opt in.

The Minister of State cited the fact that between 2019 and 2023, in the region of 1,000 such individuals were subject to readmission and would have benefited from an agreement. I understand that of those 1,000 people, fewer than 2% came from this jurisdiction. If I am not mistaken, the figure in that regard is in the region of 16. In principle, on behalf of the Fine Gael Group, it is a prudent decision to opt in. We will be more than happy to support the proposal.