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.
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. More specifically Doras is concerned about the erosion of fundamental rights, such as the right to an oral hearing during appeals, adding that the emphasis on speeding up procedures must not come at the expense of a fair and just process.
The Refugee rights organisation explained that the accelerated procedures which 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.