Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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1087. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his position on the European Commission's proposal to create 'return hubs' through agreements with third countries; and how he intends to address the human rights concerns associated with these hubs. [12861/25]

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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1218. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality given the potential for human rights violations such as arbitrary detention and refoulement, the steps the Government is taking to ensure that any future EU return policies align with international law and human rights standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12847/25]

Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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1219. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality in light of concerns raised by a number of human rights organisations about the financial and diplomatic implications of the EU's revised Return Directive, how the Government plans to assess the long-term impact of these proposals on national budgets and international relations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12848/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1087, 1218 and 1219 together.

The European Commission has recently proposed a new Returns Regulation to establish a Common European System for Returns with swifter, simpler and more effective return procedures across the EU while fully respecting fundamental rights. This new legal framework is a complementary measure to the EU Migration and Asylum Pact that Ireland opted into last year, which will introduce a more comprehensive, streamlined, and efficient approach to asylum and migration in Ireland and the EU.

The new proposal for a Returns Regulation includes:

• A new European Return Order to reduce fragmentation in approaches across the EU;
• The requirement for an independent mechanism to monitor the respect of fundamental rights during removal operations;
• Stronger obligations for returnees and clear consequences for non-cooperation;
• Safeguards throughout the return process to ensure that fundamental rights and international human rights standards are upheld including the right to appeal return decisions and provide supports for vulnerable persons;
• A maximum entry ban of 10 years for those subject to a return decision, that may be extended by successive periods of a maximum of five years;
• Mandatory forced return and longer entry bans for people found to be a security risk, including those who have committed a serious criminal offence.