Council of State meet President to discuss asylum laws

Members of the Council of State are arriving at Áras an Uachtaráin for their meeting to discuss the constitutionality of proposed new asylum laws.

The advisory body has been convened by President Catherine Connolly with the meeting expected to last a number of hours.

The International Protection Bill 2026 passed through both Houses of the Oireachtas last week, but at the behest of President Connolly, the Council of State will now consider its constitutionality.

Following that meeting, the President will decide whether to refer the bill to the Supreme Court for its consideration, or to sign it into law.

It is understood that the President has up until Wednesday night to make that decision.

Described by the Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan as the most significant reform of Irish asylum laws in the history of the State, it is tied to the EU Migration & Asylum Pact which will come into force across the EU in June.

It is made up of regulations around screening, tracking and reception conditions. It's also said to standardise asylum decisions and time limits in which they're made.

The decision to convene the Council was welcomed by the Irish Refugee Council, with Sinn Féin saying it was not a surprise saying it was rushed through the Houses of the Oireachtas in a 'reckless manner.'

The Council of State is made up current and former Presidents, taoisigh, tánaistí and chief justices, as well as other ex officio members and the President's seven appointees.