LAST UPDATE | 23 Nov 2025

MINISTER JIM O’CALLAGHAN will bring three memos concerning immigration to Cabinet on Tuesday, Minister of State Michael Healy-Rae said today.

Healy-Rae said that Justice and Migration Minister O’Callaghan will bring the memos forward for discussion and consideration, having been working “diligently” on a new immigration bill.

Various reports have described the memos as relating to tighter rules on family reunification, no citizenship for people on benefits, and a longer time to qualify for citizenship.

Last week, the UK announced stringent planned reforms to its immigration practices. O’Callaghan said Ireland must not be viewed more favourably than the UK by those seeking to claim asylum.

A new immigration bill was already in the works, but O’Callaghan said he would be paying attention to the UK’s reforms and would add any “necessary” changes to the new bill.

Speaking on RTÉ’s The Week in Politics this afternoon, Minister Micheal Healy-Rae emphasised that O’Callaghan was not simply reacting to changes from the UK, and work on this bill predates the announcement.

“I would imagine that these [the three memos] will result in confirming the changes that will be made in the new immigration bill, which will be coming out later this year,” Healy Rae said.

“And hopefully what we want to see happening is that we have a fair but also ensuring, protecting Ireland, in that we are not seen as what I would call a soft touch, or a place for people to go rather than going anywhere else.”

The Kerry TD said he “really, truly [believes] and [has] confidence” in O’Callaghan, adding that he believes he is “robust and strong in trying to protect Ireland’s interests”.

“At the end of the day, we have done an awful lot with regard to immigration into this country, but at the same time, we cannot and must not ever be seen as a soft touch.”

He said Government will move swiftly to progress the bill in the coming weeks.

Today on #RTÉTwip, @lawlor_aine asks @Farrell_Mairead about Sinn Féin's stance on #Migration, in response to @MHealyRae.

You can watch the rebroadcast of #RTÉTwip on @RTEOne at 11pm, and on the RTÉ News Channel at 3pm, 6:30pm and 10pm.

📺 pic.twitter.com/nVBcSQmOZs

— The Week in Politics (@rtetwip) November 23, 2025

Sinn Féin TD Mairead Farrell, who was also on the programme, said her party do not have the necessary information to decide whether or not they will support the proposed changes to Ireland’s migration system.

She criticised Government’s decision to join the EU Migration Pact given the Common Travel Area and said ending partition in Ireland would lower numbers entering the State, given approximately 80% of asylum seekers enter Ireland through the border, according members of Government.

This evening, Tánaiste Simon Harris said he welcomes the fact that O’Callaghan will bring forward proposals to Cabinet.

“Over the last period, we have given consideration to reforms to our immigration system,” he said. “Our system will be grounded in common sense rules which are implemented & in line with other countries.

“I have consistently said immigration is a good thing and we benefit from it as a country but we need to see changes to the system and to the rules.

“Our population growth rate is much higher than many other countries and this does pose real challenges too.”

Under O’Callaghan, a number of proposed reforms to Ireland’s asylum and migration system have been considered, although not all have been officially confirmed as something Government intends to implement.

Among those confirmed are having asylum seekers who are working contribute financially towards their accommodation and payments being offered to asylum seekers to drop their claims and leave the State.

Today, the Taoiseach indicated that refugees who have children in Ireland will be able to get maternity benefit without it affecting their ability to become an Irish citizen, following reports that incoming immigration reforms will mean refugees who received social welfare within a certain time period will not be able to gain citizenship.

Another measure discussed was a proposal to reduce the time Ukrainian refugees can remain in State accommodation from 90 days to 30.  

Opposition TDs and charities have criticised O’Callaghan for some of the reported measures considered, particularly regarding proposed changes to accommodation for asylum seekers and refugees.

An increase in deportations on chartered planes, many of which include families and children, has been described as “shameful” and performative on the Minister’s account.