Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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132. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when the EU asylum and migration pact will take effect in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12885/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The EU Asylum and Migration Pact will significantly reform the approach to migration and asylum both in Ireland and across the EU by providing a faster, more streamlined, and fairer system for addressing the challenges faced in this area.

The Pact will harmonise asylum procedures and processes across the EU and comes into effect in June 2026. Ireland, along with all the other Member States, has until then to implement the necessary changes to our systems and our legislation.

A dedicated team and a Pact Implementation Programme Board was established by my Department to coordinate this multi-faceted national programme.

The Programme Board has focused on seven strategic work streams:

Policy and Legislation

Change, Technology and Innovation

Asylum Processing Including Border Procedure

Appeals

Returns

Organisational Design And Resources and

Reception And Infrastructure.

I will bring a national implementation plan setting out the State’s proposed approach to meeting the requirements set out in the Pact to Government for approval in the coming weeks. I also intend to seek Government approval in the coming weeks to the publication of the General Scheme of an International Protection Bill to replace the 2015 Act and entirely overhaul the system for processing applications for international protection.

Implementation of the Pact will benefit the State by delivering a digital-first, rights-based, fair and effective international protection system, where those who are entitled to protection receive it quickly and those who are not entitled to protection must return to their country of origin. In the meantime, increased focus, along with investments and system enhancements are yielding results and will assist in putting the necessary capacity in place in advance of June 2026.