President's Council: Irish Constitution Test for New Asylum Bill

0:00On April 16, President Catherine Connolly is calling a Council of State Meeting to check if the new International Protection Bill, 2000. 26 holds up under the Irish Constitution. The bill just passed through Parliament last night, and overhauls asylum rules to match the European Union's fresh, migration and asylum pact. This gathering happens Monday, at 2.30pm, at hours in Oaxorine, marking the first time she's used Article 26 since taking office. That article lets the President bounce bills to the Supreme Court for a quick constitutionality test before they become law. Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan calls it the biggest asylum shake-up in Ireland's history, pushing for a fair, efficient system synced with EU. Standards that shares migration burdens and tightens border controls. With the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission flagged serious issues like broad detention powers for applicants, no legal help at the start of, claims, and hurdles for family reunification that hit folks fleeing war hardest.

1:03Amendments fixed some problems during debates, yet worries linger on integration and rights. Eyes now turn to the Council's advice and any Supreme Court move ahead.