Ireland will participate in the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum

The European Commission welcomes Ireland’s official opt-in to the Pact on Migration and Asylum, which highlights the country’s willingness to contribute and play and active role in the common EU migration and asylum policy. The Commission’s decisions confirming Ireland’s participation in seven legislative instruments of the Pact were published on 31 July 2024, making Ireland an official contributor to a joint European approach that aims to strengthen and align key EU policies on migration, asylum, and integration.

On 27 June 2024, Ireland notified the Commission of its wish to be bound by the following legal acts:

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

Ireland will now need to translate these new rules into practice, according to the Common Implementation Plan adopted by the Commission on 12 June 2024. This plan sets out key actions required to translate the new migration rules into practice and guides EU countries in developing National Implementation Plans, to be adopted by December 2024. 

Like other EU countries, Ireland can count on the operational, technical, and financial support of the Commission and EU Agencies throughout the implementation process. Ireland will also receive support under the Technical Support Instrument (TSI).

Background

There is no automatic obligation for Ireland to participate in a common asylum policy, as it has an opt-in or opt-out clause on individual proposals in the areas of freedom, security and justice, through the EU Treaty of Lisbon.

For the 2021-2027 period, Ireland will be receiving €66.9 million in EU funding. The funding is made up of €45.1 million from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and €21.8 million from the Internal Security Fund (ISF). Moreover, the Commission has launched a dedicated call under the Technical Support Instrument to assist EU countries with the preparation of their National Implementation Plans. Ireland will now also have the opportunity to apply for technical support under this scheme.

Find out more

European Commission's decisions on Ireland’s participation in seven legislative acts of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum

Pact on Migration and Asylum

Common EU implementation Plan for the Pact

Q&As on the Pact

Ireland’s role in the EU migration policy