Irish News Government Approves National Plan to Overhaul Ireland’s Asylum System Under New EU Pact

Ireland will implement the most significant reform of its asylum system in decades under the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, following Cabinet approval of a National Implementation Plan brought forward by Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan. The plan will introduce stricter border procedures, faster decision-making, and new legal structures as part of a major shift towards a more robust, streamlined and digital-first asylum process.

Due to take effect across the EU in June 2026, the pact represents the biggest overhaul of Irish asylum and migration laws in decades, aiming to create a more streamlined and unified system across member states.


The plan promotes shared responsibility for migration and is intended to strengthen how asylum applications and border management are handled.

Under the changes:

• A 12-week time limit will apply to applicants from countries with low approval rates or those posing security risks.
• The current International Protection Act 2015 will be repealed and replaced.
• A single decision and appeal system will speed up application outcomes.
• New border procedure centres and reception models will be introduced.
• A fundamental rights monitoring mechanism will ensure protections are upheld.
• Legal assistance and vulnerability screening will be mandatory.
• Ireland will fully align with seven key EU Pact legislative measures, including replacing the Dublin Regulation with the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation.

Minister of State Colm Brophy said over 14,000 first-instance decisions were already issued in 2024 as part of the wider modernisation effort.

The plan, set to be implemented by June 2026, will now be submitted to the European Commission.