Irish News Aontú Slams €1.2 Billion EU Migration Plan as ‘Outrageous’ Amid Dáil Dysfunction

Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD has sharply criticised the Government’s National Implementation Plan for the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, warning that it will cost Irish taxpayers up to €1.2 billion and lacks transparency, local consultation, and effective border controls.

Tóibín accused the Government of “sneaking” the plan “through the back door” while the Dáil was preoccupied with internal disorder, including rows over speaking rights and a looming confidence vote in the Ceann Comhairle.

“This is extraordinary given that the taxpayer will be on the hook for up to €1.2 billion euros,” said the Meath West TD.

Click to expand...

The plan, unveiled by the Department of Justice earlier this week, outlines major reforms to Ireland’s asylum system, including a new end-to-end processing model, accelerated decisions, expanded accommodation capacity, border procedure centres, and large-scale investment in IT and staffing.

Massive Financial Commitments​

The report estimates that:

• Staffing costs could rise by €32 million, reaching €117 million in the first year alone.
• Accommodation setup costs for 14,000 state-provided beds are projected at €875 million.
• Annual running costs could hit €725 million.
• A new IT system requires "multi-annual, multi-million euro" investment, with no specific figure provided.

Despite these sums, Tóibín says the plan fails to address key concerns about community input or controlling illegal entries via Northern Ireland.

Lack of Consultation, Border Loopholes​

Tóibín also criticised the plan for omitting community consultation when locating new asylum accommodation — a sore point in many towns and villages that have seen rapid asylum centre rollouts in recent years without local notice or support.

Furthermore, the Aontú leader claimed the plan would fail to act as a deterrent to what he called “illegal entries” over the land border from the UK.

“There will be no control or deterrent for the thousands of people coming into this state illegally from Britain through the north of Ireland,” he said.

Click to expand...

He cited Department figures suggesting that 90% of asylum applications to Ireland’s International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) are from individuals arriving via the UK — a designated “safe country” under EU rules.

Aontú Calls for Tougher Measures​

Aontú has repeatedly called for:

• A robust border management policy with tighter checks at the land border.
• Full transparency around costs and contracts linked to asylum services.
• Local consultation before new accommodation centres are established.
• A cap on annual asylum applications and a fast-track return process for applicants from safe countries.

Government Defends Pact as Necessary Reform​

The Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan, described the plan as the “most significant reform of Irish asylum laws in decades”, aiming to bring Ireland in line with new EU-wide rules set to take effect in June 2026.

He argued that the current system is inefficient and slow, while Minister of State Colm Brophy highlighted recent progress in reducing application backlogs and accelerating decisions.

However, critics like Tóibín insist that the plan shifts excessive costs onto the public while failing to reassure communities or address core concerns over sovereignty, border control, and fairness.

“The taxpayer will still be in line to pay between half a billion and 1.2 billion euros depending on applications. This is outrageous,” said Tóibín.

Click to expand...

The plan is due to be submitted to the European Commission in the coming weeks.