Commission confirms Ireland’s participation in the Pact on Migration and Asylum

This article is brought to you in association with the European Commission.

The Commission welcomes Ireland’s decision to opt-in to seven legal acts under the Pact on Migration and Asylum, as notified on 27 June 2024. As stated by President von der Leyen, the Pact will help to protect people, to secure our borders, to ensure fair and efficient procedures and to manage migration in an orderly way with solidarity at its heart. Ireland’s decision to opt-in demonstrates the country’s dedication to shared European values and its willingness to contribute to improved migration management across the EU.

Today, the Commission adopted the Decisions that confirm the participation of Ireland in seven legislative acts under the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum:

1. Reception Conditions Directive
2. Qualification Regulation
3. Asylum Procedure Regulation
4. Union Resettlement Framework Regulation
5. Asylum and Migration Management Regulation
6. Eurodac Regulation
7. Crisis and Force Majeure Regulation 

The Commission already financially supports Ireland in the area of migration management with €66.9 million to help manage migration for the period 2021 to 2027, of which €45.1 million come from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and €21.8 million from the Internal Security Fund (ISF). The AMIF supports Member States in managing migration while funding under the ISF supports efforts to protect the security of citizens and manage the EU’s external borders. Ireland will benefit from additional operational, technical, and financial support from the Commission and EU Agencies throughout the Pact implementation process.

Next Steps

Today’s Decisions confirming the participation of Ireland in the Asylum Procedure Regulation and Reception Conditions Directive enter into force the day after its publication in the Official Journal. The other five Decisions will enter into force on the 20^th day following the publication in the Official Journal. In line with the other Member States, Ireland will now need to translate the new rules set out in these legal instruments into practice.

Background

After a historic agreement was reached on the Pact on Migration and Asylum, work has started to translate the large and complex set of legislative acts into an operational reality over the next two years. This will be a common endeavour, with the Commission supporting Member States every step of the way. The Common Implementation Plan for the Pact on Migration and Asylum, adopted by the Commission on 12 June, sets out the key milestones for all Member States to put in place the legal and operational capabilities required to successfully start applying the new legislation by mid-2026. In addition, the EU Agencies will also provide both operational and targeted support to the Member States throughout this process. Member States may also receive support from the Technical Support Instrument (TSI), under which a dedicated call was launched on 14 June to support Member States in developing their National Implementation Plans.

For More Information

Pact on Migration and Asylum

Common Implementation Plan for the Pact

Explanatory memo on the Pact on Migration and Asylum

Ireland’s role in the EU migration policy

Quote(s)

Ireland joining the Pact on Migration and Asylum marks one more crucial step toward a cohesive and sustainable European approach to migration. I commend Ireland’s decision. Every Member State’s active involvement is key to make a success of the implementation of the Pact. By working together, Europe can effectively secure its borders, provide support to those in need of protection, and manage migration in a humane and efficient manner.

Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President for Promoting our European Way of Life

Congratulations Ireland! By opting into the Pact, Ireland is joining forces to better manage migration in Europe. To better protect our borders and protect vulnerable people, to return those who don’t have the right to stay. By opting in, Ireland shows solidarity with Member States under pressure – and can count on EU support in time of need. Ireland’s opt-in is a vote of confidence in the Pact, in our ability to jointly manage migration.

Ylva Johansson, Commissioner for Home Affairs