Refugee rights organisation Doras raises concerns over proposed new International Protection Legislation

Doras has expressed serious concerns about the content of the proposed International Protection Bill 2025, which was brought to Cabinet by the Minister for Justice yesterday. The Bill will give effect to the EU Migration and Asylum Pact and represents a significant overhaul of current legislation governing asylum procedures in Ireland. 

According to Doras, the proposals risk undermining the rights of people seeking international protection. 

John Lannon, CEO of Doras, said, “We are very concerned about the erosion of fundamental rights, such as the right to an oral hearing during appeals. The emphasis on speeding up procedures must not come at the expense of a fair and just process.” 

He added, “Many people fleeing life-threatening situations arrive without proper documentation, and it may take them months to obtain original papers from their countries of origin. Accelerated procedures that impose short timelines for interviews, restrict access to legal advice, and fail to properly assess vulnerability risk violating individuals’ human rights.” 

In advance of the publication of the General Scheme of the International Protection Bill 2025, Doras and other civil society organisations have already raised concerns across several key areas, including screening and procedures monitoring of fundamental rights, access to legal counselling, protection of vulnerable applicants, and reception conditions.  

Lannon concluded, “Making the asylum system more difficult or punitive will not deter people from coming here. Individuals undertake journeys that are often perilous because the alternative is unimaginable. We must treat asylum seekers with the same compassion and dignity we would hope for if we ourselves were forced to flee our homes.”  

ENDS 

Notes to Editor:

General Scheme of the International Protection Bill 2025: https://assets.gov.ie/static/documents/General_Scheme_International_Protection_Bill_2025.pdf