Bishops raise “serious concerns” over Act
Ireland’s new International Protection Act 2026 has drawn strong criticism from the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Council for Migrants, Refugees and Justice and Peace, which warns that the legislation prioritises strict enforcement over fairness.
Chair of the Council, Bishop Alan McGukian SJ, says the act raises “serious concerns” about the detention of children, limits on appeals, expanded enforcement powers, and tighter family reunification rules, and calls for stronger legal safeguards and better access to legal support for vulnerable applicants.
The International Protection Act 2026 is a new law that overhauls how asylum and refugee applications are handled in the Republic of Ireland. It was signed into law in April 2026 after passing through the Oireachtas.
Ailbhe Conneely, Social Affairs & Religion Correspondent at RTE, has written an article about the Bishop’s response, which can be read here ».
