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THE EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER for Migration, Magnus Brunner, has said Ireland is a “frontrunner” in terms of our preparation to adopt the EU Migration and Asylum Pact and that Citywest international protection centre is an example of “best practice”.
Brunner made the remarks during a press conference in Government Buildings in Dublin this afternoon following a meeting with Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan.
The pair met to discuss migration issues ahead of the implementation of the EU Migration Pact next June and to discuss plans for Ireland’s presidency of the EU next year.
While here, Brunner also received briefings with senior gardaí and the head of the Criminal Assets Bureau, and paid a visit to Citywest.
The Irish Government purchased Citywest earlier this year for use as accommodation and a reception centre for people seeking asylum in the State.
Speaking to reporters at today’s press conference, the Commissioner said he saw on his visit to Citywest how “well prepared” Ireland is to implement the EU Migration Pact.
“I really want to congratulate you there. It’s the sort of best practice, I think we see here, and I’m very happy to share that with my colleagues in the rest of the European Union,” he said.
EU Commissioner for Migration, Magnus Brunner, paid Citywest ipas reception centre a visit today while in Dublin.
— Jane Matthews (@janeematthews) November 24, 2025
In his view, Ireland’s asylum system is “a very good example for the rest of Europe”.
On the UK migration reforms, Brunner said the steps are “extremely positive”. pic.twitter.com/oCiJpfKV82
Asked what in particular he was so impressed by, the Commissioner said what he saw today was a reception centre that was working “very effectively” and was “well organised” with a “human” touch.
“I would say it’s a very good example for the rest of Europe,” Brunner added.
He said Ireland was a “frontrunner” when it comes to preparing to implement the EU Migration Pact.
“Our assessment is that Ireland is very well prepared, doing a very good job in implementing the pact, as I said before, it’s a frontrunner, and best practice actually, for the other member states as well. So I can only commend and congratulate,” he said.
The EU Migration and Asylum Pact seeks to create uniform rules around the identification and speeding up of decisions on asylum claims of people who arrive from outside the EU, and to develop a common database about new arrivals to Europe.
In order to adhere to the pact, the Government is currently working on a new International Protection Bill to reform Ireland’s asylum system. This will be published later this year.
Meanwhile, Minister O’Callaghan will be bringing a number of proposed reforms related to our asylum system to Cabinet this week for approval.
These include proposals to increase the amount of time an international protection applicant must be resident in Ireland before seeking naturalisation from three years to five years and to increase the cost of doing so.
Other reforms already in the works include making asylum seekers who are working contribute financially towards their accommodation and offering payments to asylum seekers to drop their claims and leave the State.
The proposed reforms being brought by the Minister to Cabinet this week coincide with a tightening of migration rules in the UK, but O’Callaghan has insisted that the Irish changes were in the works long before this.
Asked today about what impact the UK reforms will have on Ireland, O’Callaghan said Ireland has to try and get its own numbers down in terms of people seeking international protection here.
He said he will be keeping “a very close eye” on what impact the UK reforms have, and if the announcements do change migration flows to Ireland , he will have to consider this and discuss it with his government colleagues.
He added, however, that much of what the UK is doing “mirrors what is happening in the European Union”.
Commissioner Brunner added that this is “extremely positive” because it shows the UK is “stepping up to European level”.
The proposed reforms in the UK are facing extreme backlash and have even been described by Labour backbenchers as “performatively cruel”.
Under the new UK rules, refugee status will become temporary – lasting just 30 months instead of the current five years – and will be revoked once it is deemed safe for the individual to return home.
The UK State will also seize assets and income from asylum seekers to contribute to the cost of their support.
Need more clarity and context on how migration is being discussed in Ireland? Check out our FactCheck Knowledge Bank for essential reads and guides to finding good information online.
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