Catherine Connolly asks Council of State to probe new international protection bill

President Catherine Connolly is to convene the Council of State and ask it examine the constitutionality of the Government’s International Protection Bill. Picture: PA Wire

President Catherine Connolly is to convene the Council of State and ask it examine the constitutionality of the Government’s International Protection Bill.

The proposed laws are due to give effect to measures contained within the EU’s new Migration and Asylum Pact, with a requirement for it to be in place in June.

It includes provisions that applicants arriving into the State must go through identity and security checks, while biometric data will be collected on a system called Eurodac.

The Bill was passed through the Oireachtas on Wednesday night, with three hours of debate before a final vote.

This is the first time since President Connolly took office last year that she has sought the advice of the Council of State on a piece of legislation.

The meeting is set to be convened on Monday and will ask whether President Connolly should refer the legislation to the Supreme Court to test its constitutionality.

President Connolly formally unveiled her seven appointees to the Council of State last month, with Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, Linda Ervine, Colin Harvey, Kathleen Lynch, Donncha O’Connell, Conor O’Mahony, and Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh being announced.

The current Taoiseach, Tánaiste, Chief Justice, President of the Court of Appeal, President of the High Court, Ceann Comhairle, Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, and the Attorney General are also members.

The Department of Justice has said the International Protection Bill 2026 provides for a “fair, sustainable and efficient” asylum procedure, but advocates have claimed the new laws raise serious human rights concerns and put Ireland on a “dangerous path”.

“This legislation risks closing off one of the few safe and legal pathways available to refugee families, prolonging separation and increasing the likelihood that people will remain in danger or be forced to consider unsafe alternatives,” Fiona Hurley, CEO of migrant and refugee rights centre Nasc, said.