Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 April 2025
207. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice following the publication of the brief on Irelands national immigration plan for the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, how his Department intend to ensure that the seven day screening process allows for adequate legal support and medical-vulnerability assessments, particularly for traumatised applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16035/25]
View answer208. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice following the publication of the brief on Irelands national immigration plan for the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, the steps being taken to ensure that vulnerable applicants, including victims of trafficking, torture, or LGBTQ+ individuals, are not incorrectly streamed into accelerated or inadmissible procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16036/25]
View answer209. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice following the publication of the brief on Irelands national immigration plan for the EU Migration and Asylum Pact; if applicants will have access to independent legal advice before being allocated to a specific asylum procedure stream; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16037/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 207, 208 and 209 together.
I propose to take PQs 16035/25 , 16036/25 and 16037/25 together.
The EU Asylum and Migration Pact will ensure Europe acts as a collective in terms of how migration, and in particular asylum, is managed to ensure the system is firmer and fairer. It has been designed to establish a common approach to migration and asylum that is based on solidarity, responsibility, and, importantly, respect for human rights.
Ireland’s National Implementation Plan is anchored in the EU and the State’s commitment to the delivery and protection of human rights in line with the European Union Charter of Fundamental Rights, the European Convention on Human Rights, and the UN Refugee Convention.
During the screening process, all information gathered will be taken into account in order to identify vulnerabilities before assigning applicants to the most appropriate pathway.
I intend to establish an independent fundamental rights monitoring mechanism, as provided for in the Screening Regulation and the Asylum Procedures Regulation.
It should be noted that the role of the Legal Aid Board as providers of independent advisors to applicants for international protection is acknowledged as a continuing feature in the provision of legal advice and representation under the Pact. As such, the Legal Aid Board will require a significant scaling up of services through increased staff and resourcing. The Department and the Legal Aid Board are currently analysing how to restructure the provision of information, legal advice and legal representation to meet the requirements of the Pact.
