Jim O'Callaghan

For the first time in years, our spend on IPAS this year has gone down from what it was last year.

And in terms of Ukrainian accommodation, the state spent 1.2 billion in 2024.

This year, we'll be spending 600 million.

So I'm reducing the cost because that spiralling cost that was going up, up, up was unsustainable.

Well, first of all, in terms of the national migration strategy, that's a strategy that I'm putting in place that won't come out later on in the year.

In terms of the pact itself, the pact will commence on the 12th of June.

I brought through the Oireachtas the most significant reform of our asylum laws that was signed by the president recently.

And there are provisions within it which I think are important and necessary.

But like in all of these issues, one of the things...

What you have to do is to weigh up, on the one hand, you have the interests of the asylum applicant coming in.

But on the other hand, I have to weigh up the interests of the state and the interests of the state.

And in terms of the issue about detention, there are limited provisions within the legislation that allow for detention.

But one of the obligations, if somebody comes in and claims asylum, what they've required under the legislation is that they have to provide biometric data and they have to go to a screening centre.

And if they don't do that, there's a mechanism there for them to be detained for the purpose of identifying who they are.

Will the state need additional stock to detain them?

Well, I hope and believe that the overwhelming majority of people who come here claiming asylum will comply with the law.

Like, we're entitled to set down certain requirements on people who come here.

If you come to Ireland, you claim asylum, you have to give your biometric data and you have to go to a screening centre.

There's no exception to that.

And if you don't do that, you'll be detained.