Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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1275. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the forthcoming Reception Conditions Directive provisions, required under the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, will be fully set out in the text of the International Protection Bill 2025 when published; if so, if these provisions will include the full range of safeguards and conditions required under the Directive; and if not, the way in which the State will ensure compliance with EU law. [58271/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The EU Migration and Asylum Pact has been designed to establish a common approach to migration and asylum that is based on solidarity, responsibility, and respect for human rights.

My Department continues to focus on preparing for the implementation of the Pact in advance of June 2026.

The General Scheme of the new International Protection Bill to give effect to the measures of the Pact was approved by Government on 29 April 2025. The General Scheme has been published and underwent pre-legislative scrutiny in two meetings of the Joint Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration on 14 October and 21 October 2025.

Drafting of the Bill is currently underway with a view to publication by the end of the year. Enactment of the Bill and commencement of the Act is required by 11 June 2026.

At the time the General Scheme of the International Protection Bill was approved by Government, my Department was continuing to examine how best to transpose into Irish law the provisions of the 2024 Reception Conditions Directive. It was envisaged that elements of the Directive would be transposed by statutory instruments under the European Communities Acts, as was done in relation to the previous 2013 Reception Conditions Directive.

As work has progressed on the drafting of the International Protection Bill, the approach now intended to be taken is to transpose many elements of the 2024 Reception Conditions Directive by way of the Bill. Discussions are ongoing within the Department and with other Departments to determine which provisions of the 2024 Reception Conditions Directive may be more appropriately transposed by secondary legislation.

It is my intention that the 2024 Reception Conditions Directive will be fully and appropriately transposed into Irish law by the time the Directive comes into effect in June 2026.