Posted by The bill changes family rules for asylum seekers
JUSTICE Minister Jim O’Callaghan has defended his new law to clamp down on immigration as he claimed: “I have no desire to be cruel, but I have to strike a fair balance.”
Today, the Cabinet signed off on the International Protection Bill 2026, which will reform Ireland’s asylum seeker processes and bring them in line with the rest of Europe ahead of the implementation of the EU Migration Pact later this year.
he full details of the bill will be published later this week, however, the legislation will create a new six-month maximum requirement for dealing with asylum applications and appeals.
Ireland’s immigration services have been criticised for leaving people seeking international protection waiting years for a decision on whether they can stay and work in Ireland.
The new law will make it a legal requirement for the Department of Justice to deal with an initial application within three months and complete any appeal within another three months.
The Government believes this sped-up process will make the system more efficient and fairer, as people will know within six months if they are legally allowed to stay in Ireland.
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