The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (‘the Commission’) today commented on the International Protection Bill, as it passed through the remaining Dáil stages.
The International Protection Bill was guillotined in Dáil Éireann last night, meaning the legislation will proceed to Seanad Éireann without full consideration of the proposed amendments.
Last week, after eight hours of debate, only 14 of approximately 300 amendments were discussed. Stage 3 proceedings were taken on the floor of the Dáil rather than in Committee, meaning there was no line-by-line scrutiny of the Bill.
Last night, after just over 4 hours of discussion, the Bill was guillotined after reaching amendment 22.
As a result, there was no meaningful engagement with the amendments, and the vast majority were not debated at all.
The amendments that have not been discussed in the Dáil include proposals that would have:
- Prevented the unlawful detention of children;
- Ensured that invasive medical examinations to determine a child’s age are conducted by appropriately qualified medical professionals;
- Strengthened protections for victims of trafficking; and
- Safeguarded the fundamental rights of vulnerable people seeking international protection.
Changes to family reunification provisions were also not debated.
Under the proposed family reunification changes, refugees, people whom the State has already formally recognised as unable to safely return to their countries of origin, would be required to wait two years before being permitted to apply for family reunification. In practice, due to existing administrative delays, families could face separation for three to four years.
This would result in prolonged separation of parents from children. Teenagers under 16 at the time of arrival risk “aging out” of eligibility during the waiting period. Families would remain divided across conflict zones and displacement camps for extended periods.
Last week, the Commission published a detailed list of suggested amendments to the Bill. It identifies areas where the legislation, as drafted, risks failing to comply with Ireland’s obligations under national and international human rights and equality law.
Liam Herrick, Chief Commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission said:
“The guillotining of this Bill without proper scrutiny of approximately 300 amendments represents a significant missed opportunity to ensure that Ireland’s international protection system fully respects fundamental rights. The amendments that have not been debated include core safeguards for children, for victims of trafficking, and for other vulnerable groups seeking international protection. The Commission reiterates that robust parliamentary scrutiny is essential where legislation affects people in situations of acute vulnerability and where fundamental rights are engaged.”
Notes to the Editor:
The International Protection Bill was debated at stage 3 on Wednesday 18th February, and Wednesday 25th February.
There were 276 amendments to the Bill, and 24 amendments to Government’s amendments.
The document, Recommended Amendments to the International Protection Bill 2026 , is available here: Recommended Amendments to the International Protection Bill 2026
The document builds upon IHREC’s Initial Analysis of the Bill at Second Stage, see here: Overview of International Protection Bill 2026
It also builds upon IHREC’s submission to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, see here: Analysis of the International Protection Bill 2025 for Committee on Justice, Home Affairs and Migration