Council of the European Union Decision: Motions
Dail Éireann — 2026-09-30
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Colm Brophy (FG), Dublin South-West

To reiterate, and as I highlighted in my opening remarks, a firm, fair and effective immigration system is a central priority for the Government. Fundamental to the system is that our immigration laws are robust and enforced. People must be able to have faith in the integrity of our immigration system and how it addresses individuals who refuse to leave the State when they are ordered to do so. The European Council has consistently highlighted the need for a unified, comprehensive and effective policy on return and readmission, and Ireland remains committed to achieving the same. Readmission agreements play a very important role in the fight against irregular migration and are fundamental to the development of an effective policy on returns.
The readmission agreement contains clear and unambiguous, legally binding obligations that are necessary for two purposes. The first is to ensure rapid and effective procedures for the identification and return of persons, including not only nationals of EU member states and Nigeria, but also third-country nationals and stateless persons illegally entering or remaining on the parties’ territories. The second is to facilitate the transit of persons to be returned to and from a third country in a spirit of co-operation.
Ireland has previously opted into 12 EU-wide readmission agreements. As I mentioned in my opening remarks, I believe that opting into this EU readmission agreement with Nigeria would further highlight Ireland’s long-standing commitment to a common EU-wide approach to migration, and would support our aim to increase the level of returns of illegally staying third-country nationals to third countries.
In answer to Deputy Carthy’s point, I believe there is strength in unity and in the EU working together. I know that the Deputy’s party does not believe that, and that it was very selective in what it opted into supporting EU-wide. There is one thing that is always worth bearing in mind, as I have said to Deputy Carthy before in other contributions, and I was reminded of it when listening to Prime Minister Burnham talking in the last couple of days. The one country that tried to do this alone was the UK, and the one country that suffered most out of it was the UK. I agree with Deputy Devlin’s remarks. It is vital for us to build our relationship by ensuring that we develop our existing good co-operation with the UK. However, in terms of the strength that we get through working together, that strength is there with our European partners. I believe an EU-wide approach to migration is what is essential.
Opting into these Council decisions reinforces Ireland’s effort in ensuring ongoing co-operation with the Federal Republic of Nigeria and will continue to build upon the previous good co-operation on returns that we had with the Nigerian authorities. I consider it is important for Ireland to opt into these decisions in order to show solidarity with our EU partners and to ensure Ireland’s own interest in enforcing our immigration law. It will also demonstrate Ireland’s ongoing commitment to achieving a common EU-wide solution to migration, which is already evidenced by our opting into the EU asylum and migration pact. A well-functioning returns system, fully and seamlessly integrated with our new common European asylum system, is essential.
I again highlight that the agreement will be applied in such a way as to ensure respect for human rights and the obligations and responsibilities of the EU, its member states and Nigeria under the relevant international instruments applicable to the parties. The protection of the rights of persons after their readmission in compliance with the obligations under those international instruments is of particular importance and is central to the agreement. Therefore, I hope the House can support the exercise of Ireland’s opt-in in respect of these measures. I thank the Deputies for their consideration of this matter.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-09-30/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-10-05T01:00:59+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-09-30