International Protection Bill 2026: Report and Final Stages
Seanad Éireann — 2026-03-25
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Victor Boyhan (IND), Agricultural Panel

We have discussed this amendment. To my understanding, the Minister did not have a particular objection to any of it on the previous Stage. He did say it might not be necessary, but I would rather have the protection. I do not think it would do any harm to have this amendment included in the legislation. What this amendment seeks to do is to provide that:
(a) Within 12 months of the passing of this Act, the Minister shall produce a report on the treatment of refugees and asylum seekers.
(b) The report shall analyse the effects of this Act and include details as to whether immigrants are receiving appropriate legal counselling and are being treated humanely in detention in line with national law and the European Convention on Human Rights.
This always had to be about the dignity of the person, the dignity of people and about human rights. I very much value my opportunities in the Seanad to always seek to vindicate the rights of people, particularly children and vulnerable people. Whatever criticisms may be made of this legislation, it is important that we have a review. It is also important to note that there was a proposal agreed by the House today to guillotine this legislation if we do not conclude it before 6 p.m., so what does that tell us? It tells us there are a very substantial number of amendments the Minister himself has. I do not have a difficulty with many of them but the Minister has a lot of amendments today.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-03-25/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:46+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-03-25