President Catherine Connolly has convened a meeting of the Council of State under Article 26 of the Constitution to discuss the constitutionality of the International Protection Bill 2026.
The bill passed through the Houses of the Oireachtas last night and was accepted by 86 votes to 62.
A meeting will take place on Monday afternoon, where the council will consider whether the International Protection Bill 2026 should be referred by the President to the Supreme Court for a decision on the question "as to whether the Bill or any specified provision or provisions thereof are repugnant to the Constitution or to any provision thereof".
Described by Minister Jim O'Callaghan as the most significant reform of Irish asylum laws in the history of the State, the bill is tied to the EU Migration & Asylum Pact which will come into force across the EU in June.
https://www.rte.ie/news/2026/0416/15686 ... rotection/
This is excellent news!
Given the current composition of the Council they are almost bound to reject it.
The Government then has a number of choices
- withdraw the Bill in its entirety
- or amend it and see if it then passes muster with the esteemed body.
Alternatively put it to the People.
Now this one could be interesting,....
