International Protection Act 2026

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Number 9 of 2026

INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION ACT 2026

CONTENTS

PART 1

Preliminary and General

Chapter 1

Preliminary and general

Section

1. Short title and commencement

2. Interpretation

3. Regulations and orders

4. Service of documents

5. Repeals

6. Expenses

Chapter 2

Designation of Determining Authority, conduct of examinations and application of certain concepts

7. Designation of Determining Authority

8. Examinations conducted in accordance with Qualification Regulation

9. Individual assessment of applicability of concept of first country of asylum

10. First country of asylum for unaccompanied minor

11. Application of concept of safe third country

12. Safe third country for unaccompanied minor

13. Application of concept of safe country of origin

PART 2

Eurodac and Screening

Chapter 1

Eurodac

14. Definitions (Part 2) (Chapter 1)

15. Taking of data and transmission of data to Eurodac

16. Taking of data from person referred to in Article 18 of Eurodac Regulation

17. Management of biometric data and other data

18. Designated person

19. Offence of processing data in Eurodac contrary to Article 1 of Eurodac Regulation

Chapter 2

Screening

20. Definitions (Part 2) (Chapter 2)

21. Designation of screening centre

22. Obligation to travel to screening centre

23. Alternative arrangements for screening of certain applicants

24. Obligation to inform applicant

25. Obligations of applicant under Part 2

26. Provision of information to applicant

27. Legal counselling

28. Consultation with legal representative

29. Preliminary health assessment

30. Preliminary vulnerability assessment

31. Guarantees for minors

32. Search of applicant

33. Screening form

34. Cultural mediator

35. Termination of screening

PART 3

Application for International Protection

Chapter 1

Making, registration and lodgement of application

36. Application for international protection

37. Application on behalf of minor

38. Application on behalf of person lacking capacity

39. Registration of application

40. Lodgement of application

41. Submission of elements and documents

Chapter 2

Appointment of representatives for unaccompanied minors

42. Definition (Part 3) (Chapter 2)

43. Competent authority (Part 3) (Chapter 2)

44. Best interests of child (Part 3) (Chapter 2)

45. Requirement to notify the competent authority

46. Designation of provisional representative and appointment of representative

47. Appointment of provisional representative persons and representative persons

48. Power to appoint substitute provisional representative person and representative person

49. Consequences of appointment of provisional representative person or representative person

50. Functions of provisional representative person and representative person

51. Cessation of designation or appointment of representatives and consequences of cessation

52. Modification of certain references (exceptional situations)

53. Regulations (Part 3) (Chapter 2)

Chapter 3

Assessments to determine age of applicant

54. Best interests of child (Part 3) (Chapter 3)

55. Age assessments

56. Multi-disciplinary assessment

57. Medical examination to determine age

58. Age assessment in Member State other than the State

59. Request by applicant for further age assessment

60. Decision by Determining Authority to arrange further age assessment

61. Estimated date of birth

62. Confirmation of age based on verifiable information

63. Regulations (Part 3) (Chapter 3)

Chapter 4

Consequences of making application

64. Authorisation to enter State

65. Right to remain in State

66. Limitation on right to remain

67. Duty to cooperate

68. Exception from right to remain

69. International protection applicant card

Chapter 5

Withdrawal of application

70. Explicit withdrawal of application

71. Implicit withdrawal of application

Chapter 6

Subsequent application

72. Subsequent application

PART 4

Reception Conditions

Chapter 1

Definitions and application

73. Definitions (Part 4)

74. Application of Part 4

Chapter 2

Material reception conditions

75. Provision of material reception conditions

76. Allocation of accommodation

77. Reception needs of minors

78. Schooling and education for minors

79. Language courses and vocational training

80. Health care

81. Assessment of special reception needs

82. Provision of information to applicants

83. House rules

84. Travel documents for applicants

Chapter 3

Reduction or withdrawal of material reception conditions

85. Definitions

86. Reduction or withdrawal of material reception conditions

87. Making a decision under section 86

88. Section 86 decision based on applicant’s conduct

89. Appeal of section 86 decision

Chapter 4

Monitoring of reception conditions

90. Definitions (Part 4) (Chapter 4)

91. Monitoring body

92. National Standards and monitoring of accommodation

93. Provision of information to monitoring body

94. Authorised persons

95. Inspection of accommodation centres

96. Prohibition against certain conduct in relation to inspection

97. Inspection reports

98. Statutory notifications to monitoring body

99. Notification of serious incidents

PART 5

Restriction of Freedom of Movement and Detention

Chapter 1

Preliminary and general

100. Application of Part 5

101. Particular reasons to believe that person might abscond

Chapter 2

Restrictions of freedom of movement

102. Requirement that applicant reside in specific place

103. Requirement that applicant report to competent authorities

104. Matters to be taken into account

105. Form and content of requirement restricting freedom of movement

106. Assistance for unaccompanied minor

107. Power to vary restriction of freedom of movement

108. Review of restriction of freedom of movement

109. Appeal from decision of review officer

110. Request to reside temporarily outside specified place

Chapter 3

Detention and alternatives to detention

111. Prohibition of detention on certain grounds

112. Grounds of detention and application of alternatives to detention

113. Alternatives to detention

114. Measures relating to minors

115. Application of alternative to detention

116. Power to vary requirement under section 113

117. Appeal of requirement under section 113

118. Arrest and detention of applicants

119. Detention as last resort

120. Offences (Part 5)

121. Rights of detained person

122. Detention of persons with special reception needs

123. Notification to Child and Family Agency where minor in custody of detained person

124. Administrative delay while applicant is in detention

125. Conditions of detention

PART 6

Asylum and Migration Management

Chapter 1

Preliminary and general

126. Interpretation (Part 6)

127. Best interests of child (Part 6)

128. Minister to share information for purposes of asylum and migration management

129. Minister to provide applicant with information on application of Asylum and Migration Management Regulation

130. Minister may request another Member State to take charge of applicant to bring family together

Chapter 2

Determination of Member State responsible

131. Minister to determine Member State responsible

132. Determination of Member State responsible — assessment whether applicant poses threat to internal security

133. Personal interview for determining Member State responsible

134. Offence of forging or altering recording or summary of Article 22 interview

135. Circumstances in which Article 22 interview may be omitted

Chapter 3

Transfers

136. Request by State to other Member State to take charge of, or take back, applicant

137. Functions of Minister where State is transferring Member State

138. Minister to take transfer decision

139. Notification of transfer decision

140. Appeal against transfer decision

141. Request to remain in State pending appeal

142. Additional functions of Minister in relation to transfer decision

143. Transfer of applicant from State to Member State responsible

144. Powers of immigration officer, etc. for purposes of facilitating transfer

145. Arrest and detention of applicant subject of transfer decision

Chapter 4

Procedures where State is Member State responsible

146. Request by other Member State to State to take charge of, or take back, applicant for international protection

147. Procedure where State takes charge of, or takes back, applicant for international protection

PART 7

Examination of Applications for International Protection

Chapter 1

Medical examination for indications of past persecution or serious harm

148. Determining Authority may request medical examination for indications of past persecution or serious harm

Chapter 2

Examination procedure

149. Examination of applications

150. Determining Authority may prioritise examination of applications for international protection

Chapter 3

Personal interviews

151. Requirement to give applicant opportunity of personal interview

152. Requirements for personal interviews

153. Conduct of personal interview

154. Legal assistance at personal interview

155. Report and recording of personal interviews

Chapter 4

Decisions on applications

156. Decision on applications for international protection and notification of decision

157. Assessment of admissibility of application

158. Duration of examination to determine whether application is inadmissible

159. Decision to reject application as inadmissible

160. Finding that applicant’s country of origin is safe country of origin

161. Rejection of application and issuance of return decision

162. Examination of merits of application

163. Determining Authority may decide not to grant refugee status

164. Decision on merits of application

165. Grant of refugee status following decision that person qualifies as refugee

166. Grant of subsidiary protection status following decision that person is eligible for subsidiary protection

167. Rejection of application as unfounded

168. Duration of examination procedure on merits

169. Examination procedure to conclude within 21 months of lodging of application

170. Duration of examination procedure where court annuls decision of Determining Authority and refers back

171. Decision that applicant qualifies as refugee

172. Decision that applicant does not qualify as refugee and is eligible for subsidiary protection

Chapter 5

Special procedures

173. Accelerated examination procedure

174. Duration of accelerated examination procedure

Chapter 6

Asylum border procedure

175. Conditions for applying asylum border procedure

176. Deadlines under asylum border procedure

177. Prioritisation of examination of applications in asylum border procedure

178. Application by person deemed to be national security risk

179. Mandatory application of asylum border procedure

180. Application of special procedures to applicants in need of special procedural guarantees

181. Determination of Member State responsible and relocation where asylum border procedure is applicable

182. Application of asylum border procedure where applicant is transferred to State

183. Exceptions to asylum border procedure

184. Restrictions on freedom of movement during asylum border procedure

185. Minister to notify where number of applications in border procedure reaches maximum

PART 8

Appeals to Tribunal

186. Definitions (Part 8)

187. Appeals

188. Right to remain in State pending appeal

189. Request to Tribunal to be allowed to remain pending appeal

190. Provision of information, submission of documents to Tribunal

191. Oral hearing

192. Recording of oral hearing

193. Examination by Tribunal

194. Withdrawal and deemed withdrawal of appeal

195. Decision of Tribunal

196. Effect of judicial review on right to remain in State

197. Duration of appeal to Tribunal

198. Procedures for appeals and requests to remain

PART 9

Content of International Protection

199. Definitions (Part 9)

200. Application of Part 9

201. Information for beneficiaries of international protection

202. Extension to beneficiaries of international protection of certain rights

203. Permission for beneficiaries of international protection to reside in State

204. Permission to reside for family members of beneficiaries of international protection

205. Permission to enter and reside for family members of beneficiaries of international protection

206. Application by unaccompanied minors for waiver of certain requirements under section 205

207. Travel document

208. Cancellation and surrender of travel document

209. Offences relating to travel document

210. Meaning of “false” and “making”

211. Proceedings relating to offences under section 209 committed outside State

212. Regulations (section 205)

PART 10

Voluntary Return and Withdrawal of International Protection

213. Option to voluntarily return

214. Withdrawal of international protection

215. Appeal of withdrawal of international protection

PART 11

Returns

Chapter 1

Return decisions

216. Return decision where application is inadmissible on certain grounds, unfounded, manifestly unfounded or withdrawn

217. Entry ban notice

218. First country of asylum or safe third country return decision

219. Making of return decision before decision under Part 3 or 7

220. Coming into effect of return decision

221. Exceptions to making of return decision

222. Requirements on person subject of return decision

223. Arrest and detention (Part 11)

224. Continuance of detention under section 223

225. Prohibition of refoulement

Chapter 2

Return border procedure

226. Application of Chapter 2 of Part 11

227. Requirements on person to whom Chapter applies

228. Designated centre

229. Refusal of authorisation to enter State

230. Arrest and detention under return border procedure

231. Cessation of return border procedure

Chapter 3

Miscellaneous

232. Power to enter premises

233. Issue of travel document for purpose of return

234. Review of detention under Part 11

PART 12

Humanitarian Admission Framework, Programme Refugees, Temporary Protection and Crisis and Force Majeure

235. Definitions (Part 12)

236. Programme Refugees

237. Temporary protection

238. Revocation of temporary protection

239. Crisis and force majeure

PART 13

Tribunal

Chapter 1

Definitions (Part 13)

240. Definitions (Part 13)

Chapter 2

Establishment of Tribunal

241. Establishment day of Tribunal

242. Establishment of Tribunal

Chapter 3

Tribunal

243. Functions of Tribunal

244. Composition of Tribunal

245. Terms of appointment and conditions of office of Appeals Officers

246. Resignation and removal of Appeals Officers

247. Functions of Chief Appeals Officer

248. Delegation of functions of Chief Appeals Officer

249. Power of Deputy Chief Appeals Officer to perform functions of Chief Appeals Officer

250. Functions of Appeals Officers

251. Director of Tribunal

252. Staff of Tribunal

253. Power of member of staff to perform functions of Director

Chapter 4

Reporting

254. Annual report of Tribunal

255. Reports of Chief Appeals Officer

256. Reports of Director

PART 14

Chief Inspector of Asylum Border Procedures

Chapter 1

Definitions (Part 14)

257. Definitions (Part 14)

Chapter 2

Establishment of Office of Chief Inspector of Asylum Border Procedures

258. Establishment day of Office of Chief Inspector

259. Establishment of Office of Chief Inspector

Chapter 3

Appointment and functions of Chief Inspector of Asylum Border Procedures

260. Appointment of Chief Inspector

261. Resignation and removal of Chief Inspector

262. Acting Chief Inspector

263. Functions of Chief Inspector

264. Staff of Chief Inspector

Chapter 4

Governance and accountability of Chief Inspector of Asylum Border Procedures

265. Establishment and role of Advisory Board

266. Membership of Advisory Board

267. Meetings of Advisory Board

268. Member ceasing to be member of Advisory Board

269. Annual report of Chief Inspector

270. Accountability to Oireachtas Committees

Chapter 5

Complaints, investigations and inspections

271. Inspections and complaints of designated asylum border facilities

272. Recording and handling of complaints

273. Formal investigation

274. Other actions by Chief Inspector following formal investigation

Chapter 6

Miscellaneous

275. Offences under Part 14

276. Prohibition on unauthorised disclosure of confidential information

PART 15

Miscellaneous Provisions

277. Contracts for services

278. Prohibition on publication or broadcast of certain information

279. Designation of safe countries of origin

280. Designation of safe third countries

281. Prioritisation by Tribunal of certain appeals and requests to remain

282. Contingency plan

283. Family tracing for unaccompanied minors

284. Sharing of information for performance of functions

PART 16

Transitional Provisions

285. Application of Act to certain applications

286. Transitional provisions relating to repeals under section 5

287. Transitional provisions relating to appointment of Appeals Officers under Part 13

288. Amendment of section 2 of Act of 2015

289. Continued application and effect of Act of 2015

290. Internal protection

291. Amendment of section 21(16) of Act of 2015

292. Amendment of section 27(1) of Act of 2015

293. Amendment of section 28 of Act of 2015

294. Amendment of section 62 of Act of 2015

PART 17

Amendments to Other Acts of Oireachtas

295. Amendment of Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956

296. Amendment of Child Care Act 1991

297. Amendment of Act of 1995

298. Amendment of section 23C of Road Traffic Act 1961

299. Amendment of Schedule to Bail Act 1997

300. Amendment of Act of 1999

301. Amendment of section 5 of Illegal Immigrants (Trafficking) Act 2000

302. Amendment of Immigration Act 2003

303. Amendment of Act of 2004

304. Amendment of Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005

305. Amendment of Schedule 3 to Broadcasting Act 2009

306. Amendment of Schedule 1 to National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012

307. Amendment of Children First Act 2015

308. Amendment of section 24 of Prisons Act 2015

309. Amendment of section 12(2) of Act of 2018

310. Amendment of Childcare Support Act 2018

311. Amendment of section 5(1) of Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons) Act 2021

312. Amendment of Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022

313. Amendment of section 8 of Employment Permits Act 2024

SCHEDULE 1

Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees Done at Geneva on 28 July 1951

SCHEDULE 2

Protocal Relating to the Status of Refugees Done at New York on 31 January 1967

Acts Referred to

Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (No. 64)

Bail Act 1997 (No. 16)

Broadcasting Act 2009 (No. 18)

Child Care Act 1991 (No. 17)

Childcare Support Act 2018 (No. 11)

Children Act 2001 (No. 24)

Children First Act 2015 (No. 36)

Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (No. 19)

Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 (No. 32)

Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 (No. 24)

Civil Service Regulation Acts 1956 to 2005

Companies Act 2014 (No. 38)

Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act 1961 (No. 39)

Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons) Act 2021 (No. 42)

Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008 (No. 8)

Data Protection Act 2018 (No. 7)

Data Sharing and Governance Act 2019 (No. 5)

Dentists Act 1985 (No. 9)

Education Act 1998 (No. 51)

Employment Permits Act 2024 (No. 17)

Ethics in Public Office Act 1995 (No. 22)

Ethics in Public Office Acts 1995 and 2001

European Arrest Warrant Act 2003 (No. 45)

European Convention on Human Rights Act 2003 (No. 20)

European Parliament Elections Act 1997 (No. 2)

Extradition Act 1965 (No. 17)

Health Act 1947 (No. 28)

Health Acts 1947 to 2024

Health and Social Care Professionals Act 2005 (No. 27)

Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 (No. 22)

Housing Act 1988 (No. 28)

Illegal Immigrants (Trafficking) Act 2000 (No. 29)

Immigration Act 1999 (No. 22)

Immigration Act 2003 (No. 26)

Immigration Act 2004 (No. 1)

International Protection Act 2015 (No. 66)

International War Crimes Tribunals Act 1998 (No. 40)

Interpretation Act 2005 (No. 23)

Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 (No. 26)

Legal Services Regulation Act 2015 (No. 65)

Medical Practitioners Act 2007 (No. 25)

National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 (No. 47)

Nurses and Midwives Act 2011 (No. 41)

Official Languages Act 2003 (No. 32)

Petty Sessions (Ireland) Act 1851 (14 & 15 Vict., c.93)

Prisons Act 1970 (No. 11)

Prisons Act 1972 (No. 7)

Prisons Act 2015 (No. 57)

Protected Disclosures Act 2014 (No. 14)

Protection of Children (Hague Convention) Act 2000 (No. 37)

Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004 (No. 33)

Refugee Act 1996 (No. 17)

Road Traffic Act 1961 (No. 24)

Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (No. 26)

Solicitors Act 1954 (No. 36)

Number 9 of 2026

INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION ACT 2026

An Act to provide for the entry into, and presence in, the State of persons seeking international protection, while having regard also to the power of the Executive in relation to these matters; to give effect to Directive (EU) 2024/1346 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024¹ laying down standards for the reception of applicants for international protection (recast); to give further effect to Regulation (EU) 2024/1347 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024² on standards for the qualification of third-country nationals or stateless persons as beneficiaries of international protection, for a uniform status for refugees or for persons eligible for subsidiary protection and for the content of the protection granted; to give further effect to Regulation (EU) 2024/1348 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024³ establishing a common procedure for international protection in the Union and repealing Directive 2013/32/EU; to give further effect to Regulation (EU) 2024/1350 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024⁴ establishing a Union Resettlement and Humanitarian Admission Framework, and amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1147; to give further effect to Council Directive 2001/55/EC of 20 July 2001⁵ on minimum standards for giving temporary protection in the event of a mass influx of displaced persons and on measures promoting a balance of efforts between Member States in receiving such persons and bearing the consequences thereof; to give further effect to Regulation (EU) 2024/1351 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024⁶ on asylum and migration management; to give further effect to Regulation (EU) 2024/1358 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024⁷ on the establishment of ‘Eurodac’ for the comparison of biometric data in order to effectively apply Regulations (EU) 2024/1351 and (EU) 2024/1350 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Directive 2001/55/EC and to identify illegally staying third country nationals and stateless persons and on requests for the comparison with Eurodac data by Member States’ law enforcement authorities and Europol for law enforcement purposes; to give further effect to Regulation (EU) 2024/1359 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024⁸ addressing situations of crisis and force majeure in the field of migration and asylum and amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1147; to give further effect to the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees done at Geneva on the 28th day of July 1951 and the Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees done at New York on the 31st day of January 1967; to provide for the gathering of information from applicants for international protection; to provide for permission to enter and reside for family members of beneficiaries of international protection; to provide for the removal from the State of certain persons; to provide for the establishment of a body to be known as An Binse um Achomhairc i dtaobh Tearmainn agus Filleadh or, in the English language, as the Tribunal for Asylum and Returns Appeals and to provide for its functions; to provide for the establishment of a body to be known as Oifig an Phríomh Chigire Nósanna Imeachta Teorann um Thearmann or, in the English language, as the Office of the Chief Inspector of Asylum Border Procedures and to provide for its functions; to amend, or repeal certain provisions of, the International Protection Act 2015 ; to amend the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 , the Child Care Act 1991 , the Civil Legal Aid Act 1995 , the Immigration Act 1999 , the Illegal Immigrants (Trafficking) Act 2000 , the Immigration Act 2004 , the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 , the Children First Act 2015 and certain other enactments; and to provide for related matters.

[22nd April, 2026]

Be it enacted by the Oireachtas as follows:

¹ OJ L, 2024/1346, 22.5.2024

² OJ L, 2024/1347, 22.5.2024

³ OJ L, 2024/1348, 22.5.2024

⁴ OJ L, 2024/1350, 22.5.2024

⁵ OJ L, 212, 7.8.2001, pp 12-23

⁶ OJ L, 2024/1351, 22.5.2024

⁷ OJ L, 2024/1358, 22.5.2024

⁸ OJ L, 2024/1359, 22.5.2024