International Protection Bill 2026: Committee Stage
Seanad Éireann — 2026-03-18
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Alice-Mary Higgins (IND), National University of Ireland

Just to reiterate in respect of minors that the Government's later amendments - amendment No. 102 and others - remove the requirement for the particular necessary skills and expertise in the persons who are providing that representation to the minor. They also allow that somebody may be representing up to 30 minors. I do not believe that adequately addresses the concern. On amendment No. 60, if the Minister feels that the language "shall be entitled to", I think the key thing is that they would be told of their right to seek legal representation.
The crucial point is that people be informed of that at the same time as they are being informed about legal counselling rather than people, as I have said, who will be receiving legal counselling and in the belief they are getting legal advice when they are not actually getting legal advice.
Again, my concern was not around refusal. My concern is not around the situation of those receiving legal representation also wanting legal counselling. My concern is that we create a disincentive to seeking legal representation. I am concerned that there may be a possibly inadvertent dissuasive effect if people are overly informed that if they go for legal representation, it will cause problems for them, for example. I am concerned about whether that becomes the narrative. I am concerned that people may access legal counselling and may be made afraid to seek legal representation or feel that they will lose something or will make a misstep. That is why clarity is required in respect of legal representation, legal counselling and legal assistance. People need to know what they are and what their rights may be. There may not be a right to receive but a right to seek. Perhaps the Minister will indicate if he thinks the language in amendment No. 60 is too broad and will bring his own nuanced version of that on Report Stage because it is key to have clear information from the outset. I still have concerns as to how this is likely to play out.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-03-18/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:44+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-03-18