Oireachtas Committee Report on Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of International Protection Bill 2025 (data.oireachtas.ie)

• Committee recommends reconsidering opt-out of EU Migration Pact due to Common Travel Area dynamics.
• Key gaps identified: legal counselling, age assessments, alternatives to detention, and independent monitoring.
• 41 recommendations include biometric data safeguards, healthcare access, and capping accommodation costs.

"The Joint Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration published its pre-legislative scrutiny report on the General Scheme of the International Protection Bill 2025. The bill aims to align Ireland with the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. The committee expressed concerns about opting into the Pact given Ireland's Common Travel Area with the UK, and highlighted gaps in legal counselling, age assessments, and alternatives to detention. It made 41 recommendations including on biometric data, reception conditions, healthcare access, vulnerability assessments, and independent monitoring. The committee noted potential strain on the Civil Legal Aid Scheme and Tusla."