Immigration
Bills affecting immigration, asylum, citizenship, refugees and international protection.
20 bills tracked under this topic.
International Protection Bill 2026
26 Mar 2026 Fifth Stage Current
- Replaces the 2015 International Protection Act; applies to applications lodged from 12 June 2026 onwards, implementing seven EU asylum and migration regulations.
- Establishes screening procedures requiring applicants to attend designated centres; includes biometric data collection (Eurodac), health and vulnerability assessments, and information provision.
- Creates new appeal tribunal and inspector office; designates Minister as determining authority; provides for representative appointments for unaccompanied minors and procedural safeguards.
Repeal of Exempted Development Regulations Bill 2026
27 Feb 2026 Second Stage Current Eoin Ó Broin
- Repeals two 2022–2023 regulations that exempted certain temporary accommodation buildings for international protection seekers from planning permission requirements.
- Removes exempted development status previously extended to 2028, requiring future accommodation facilities to obtain standard planning permission.
- Allows state agency to apply for planning retention permission for existing exempted accommodation to continue operating legally.
International Protection (Family Reunification) (Amendment) Bill 2017
2 May 2025 Committee Stage Current Frances Black
- Refugees and people with subsidiary protection can apply to bring qualifying family members to Ireland, including parents, siblings, children, and grandparents.
- Expands family reunification to include wards and guardians alongside traditional relations, widening who counts as eligible family.
- Bill currently in committee stage; establishes legal framework for processing these family reunification applications.
Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Citizenship for Children) Bill 2020
2 May 2025 Second Stage Current Mick Barry
- Restores birthright citizenship to all persons born on the island of Ireland, removing restrictions introduced by the 2004 Act.
- Grants Irish citizenship to children resident three years within any four-year period as minors in Ireland.
- Allows Minister to waive naturalisation conditions for children with Irish citizen siblings, deeming them to have 'Irish associations'.
Gradam an Uachtaráin Bill 2023
21 Mar 2025 Committee Stage Current Sharon Keogan
- Creates a new state honour called 'Gradam an Uachtaráin' to recognise exceptional citizen achievements and outstanding contributions.
- President will have power to confer this honour; bill sets out rules for how awards are granted and managed.
- Bill currently at Committee Stage; specific eligibility criteria and selection process details not provided in long title.
Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) (Web Archive) Bill 2024
30 Jan 2025 First Stage Lapsed Lynn Boylan
- Amends copyright law to require collection and preservation of Ireland's digital content online, ensuring permanent public access.
- Aims to safeguard Ireland's intellectual and cultural record for citizens, researchers, and international audiences.
- Bill lapsed at First Stage; current status of provisions or reintroduction unknown.
Criminal Justice (Hate Crime) Bill 2020
30 Jan 2025 First Stage Lapsed Fiona O'Loughlin
- Establishes hate crime as an aggravating factor for designated offences when motivated by victim's asylum status, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, transgender identity, age, or similar characteristics.
- Enables courts to impose enhanced penalties and supervision orders for offences aggravated by hate crime.
- Creates legal framework defining when an offence qualifies as hate crime and how courts must sentence such cases.
Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Naturalisation of Minors Born in Ireland) Bill 2018
30 Jan 2025 Second Stage Lapsed Ged Nash
- Allows minors born in Ireland to apply for Irish citizenship certificates without waiting until age 18.
- Amends naturalisation law to streamline the process for children born on the island of Ireland.
- Bill did not progress beyond Second Stage and is no longer active in the legislature.
Health (Inspection of Emergency Homeless Accommodation and Asylum Seekers Accommodation) Bill 2021
14 Nov 2024 First Stage Lapsed Eoin Ó Broin
- Expands Health Information and Quality Authority's inspection powers to cover emergency homeless accommodation funded by local authorities and asylum seeker reception centres.
- Amends Health Act 2007 to add five new accommodation types as 'designated centres' subject to Authority oversight and quality standards.
- Requires Health Minister to obtain consent from Housing and Children Ministers before approving standards for these facilities.
Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Allows dormant court funds from Circuit and District Courts to be encashed every 5 years and used for court building maintenance and ICT facilities.
- Extends voluntary return option timeframe for international protection applicants from 5 to 30 days, and increases International Protection Appeals Tribunal member terms from 3 to 5 years.
- Streamlines bankruptcy processes by removing court leave requirement for property disclaimers and allowing Official Assignee to pre-check financial statements before court filing.
Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Provides €400 monthly payment to people hosting temporary protection beneficiaries from Ukraine; payment exempt from means-testing and income tax.
- Expands childcare support eligibility to families with temporary protection status; enables online and multi-location non-national registration without registration districts.
- Recognizes driving licenses of temporary protection beneficiaries via Minister order; establishes jury procedures for Stardust nightclub inquests with employer wage obligations.
Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Bill 2021
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Amends Health Act 1947 to require mandatory quarantine in designated facilities for travellers from high-risk countries or those without pre-travel tests, for up to 14 days.
- Minister designates high-risk countries and quarantine facilities; travellers must pre-book and present themselves on arrival or face detention by gardaí.
- Quarantine costs charged to travellers as recoverable debt; appeals officer can review cases within 24 hours; exemptions available for asylum seekers and unaccompanied children.
Sea-Fisheries (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Establishes points system for fishing boat masters for serious Common Fisheries Policy breaches; accumulation triggers suspension then removal from register, prohibiting boat command.
- Creates Irish Fishing Master Register maintained by Minister; masters must register to legally command Irish or foreign fishing boats; registration can be refused for incomplete/false applications.
- Implements EU control regulations via independent Determination Panel and Appeals Officer; decisions appealable to High Court; unblocks €25 million EU co-funding suspended for Ireland's fisheries enforcement.
Health (Amendment) Bill 2021
11 Sep 2024 Enacted
- Mandatory quarantine in government-designated facilities for travelers arriving from high-risk Covid-19 areas or without required test results; Minister designates risk areas.
- Increased penalties for Health Act violations: fines up to €4,000-€5,000 and imprisonment up to 6 months; fixed penalty notices up to €2,000.
- Alternatives to facility quarantine for international protection applicants and unaccompanied children; appeals process for early release on humanitarian grounds.
Principles of Social Welfare Bill 2021
11 Sep 2024 First Stage Defeated Seán Sherlock
- Establishes nine social welfare principles (dignity, poverty reduction, public service, evidence-based design) that must guide interpretation and administration of Social Welfare Acts by all decision-makers and courts.
- Requires Minister to create and review a social welfare charter setting expectations for government, administrators, and benefit recipients; Minister must consult Citizens Information Board and affected persons.
- Imposes duty on Minister to promote take-up of eligible benefits; requires regular take-up strategies, cross-benefit eligibility identification, accessible information, and applicant support during interviews.
Social Welfare and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2023
30 Aug 2024 Enacted
- Child maintenance payments excluded from means tests for jobseeker's allowance, disability allowance, state pension (non-contributory), blind pension, carer's allowance and other welfare schemes.
- Repeal of Part 12 of Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 ends liable relative provisions; Department will no longer recoup claim costs from non-resident parents.
- Removes social welfare inspectors' and Deciding Officers' roles in enforcing liable relative obligations under repealed provisions.
Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020
11 May 2021 Enacted
- Allows Minister for Health to make Orders and Regulations for healthcare reimbursement arrangements between Ireland and UK after transition period ends, supporting Common Travel Area maintenance.
- Enables Northern Ireland residents to claim reimbursement from Health Service Executive for necessary medical expenses incurred in EU Member States, EEA countries, and Switzerland.
- Amends tax law to extend income tax reliefs, pension scheme recognition, and other tax benefits to UK entities and residents post-transition to maintain existing arrangements for Irish taxpayers.
Immigration (Reform) (Regularisation of Residency Status) Bill 2016
20 Apr 2020 Second Stage Lapsed Victor Boyhan
- Grants residence permits to people whose asylum, subsidiary protection, or leave-to-remain applications remain undecided after four years, valid for minimum three years and renewable.
- Grants residence permits to people with unexecuted deportation orders issued over one year ago with no reasonable prospect of enforcement within six months.
- Residence permit holders gain rights to work, travel, education, medical care, social welfare, and property ownership; Minister can revoke permits for serious crime, public order, or security reasons.
Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Bill 2017
13 Feb 2020 Second Stage Lapsed John Brady
- Removes specific functions from the Citizens Information Board; details of which functions are not specified in available text.
- Amends the Comhairle Act 2000; practical effect of amendments not detailed in provided information.
- Bill lapsed before completion; never became law. Sponsor: John Brady.
Electoral (Extension of Voting Rights to Non-Irish Citizens) Bill 2017
13 Feb 2020 First Stage Lapsed Ruth Coppinger
- Allows all adults living in Ireland to vote in Dáil and European Parliament elections, regardless of citizenship.
- Changes voting eligibility from Irish/EU citizens only to any adult ordinary resident, expanding the electorate.
- Bill was introduced but did not progress beyond First Stage and has since lapsed without becoming law.