International Protection Bill 2026: Committee Stage Dail Éireann — 2026-02-18 ============================================================ Jim O'Callaghan (FF), Dublin Bay South It is very clear from that definition in Article 16 what legal counselling is. It is distinct from legal advice. We need to recognise that when people come in seeking international protection, they do not need the expertise of a very well-qualified senior solicitor. They need somebody who is expert in the area of applications for international protection. They need to be informed about the procedure and the importance of the narrative that is provided to the individual who is hearing their application at first instance. Those are the crucial factors in determining whether an individual is entitled to be granted asylum. I know it is set out as a very legal and litigious process when you look at the detail of the legislation but, ultimately, the most important aspect for any applicant for international protection is to be able to set out coherently and as comfortably as possible the basis upon which they say that they are entitled to international protection. That requires legal counselling from individuals who are expert in that type of work and process. That will be much more effective. The intention in the amendments, when they come forward, will be that they will be governed by the Legal Aid Board. I apologise but I do not have definitions here. I have provided as much coherence as possible. We have had a good debate on legal counselling. Individuals need to be aware that if the definition of "legal counselling" they want to include in the Bill is legal counselling that includes advice from a solicitor or barrister, that will place excessive burdens on the legal aid system in this country. It is not feasible. It is always open to an individual seeking international protection at first instance to apply to the Legal Aid Board, and that will continue. In 2024, there were 11,689 applications to the board in respect of international protection. That process will continue. To deal with the issue raised by Deputy Ward, the Legal Aid Board finds itself with what he referred to as a Hobson’s choice. It finds itself in the position where it has to choose who to grant legal aid to. It is a difficult choice. I have to be careful with the legislation I am bringing forward in ensuring it does not overburden the Legal Aid Board. As I said, legal counselling will be provided. It will be based on the definition in Article 16 of the asylum procedures regulation, APR. It will not necessarily have to be legal advice. However, it will not preclude an applicant from applying for legal advice from the Legal Aid Board. --- Source: Houses of the Oireachtas. Licensed under CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). The Official Report is revised after first publication; the fetch timestamp below identifies the version quoted. Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-02-18/debate/main Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:39+00:00 Sitting date: 2026-02-18