International Protection Bill 2026: Committee Stage (Resumed)
Seanad Éireann — 2026-03-19
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Jim O'Callaghan (FF), Dublin Bay South

I will have to brush up on both of them. Certainly, if there is an obligation on me or my Department to produce something, I know I will be reminded by Seanad Éireann to do it and I will certainly comply with Standing Orders. However, I think the amendment is unnecessary because of the detailed provision contained in Part 12 of the Bill before the Seanad. In Part 12, there is a whole section dealing with the chief inspector of asylum and border procedures. The Bill establishes the office of a new chief inspector. Under the legislation, his role will be to monitor the treatment of applicants in the asylum border procedure. It provides that the chief inspector shall have the power to receive complaints, carry out inspections and conduct formal investigations to ensure the fundamental rights of applicants are upheld at all times. The chief inspector shall also produce a report annually on the performance of their functions and other related matters from the previous year. I then cause a copy of that report to be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. Obviously, the function of the chief inspector, which very much replicates what Senator Boyhan wants to achieve, will play a critical role in guaranteeing the fundamental rights of international protection applicants. I ask Senators to look through Part 12. They will see a detailed series of provisions contained within it, which include a requirement for the report to be prepared and to come back before the Houses of the Oireachtas. I thank the Senator for his amendment, but I think the provision within Part 12 is stronger than what is proposed in his amendment.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-03-19/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:45+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-03-19