132. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he has applied, or intends to apply, to the European Commission for a temporary reduction of Ireland's mandatory solidarity contributions under Article 7(6) of Regulation (EU) 2024/1351; if not, the basis on which the Government considers Ireland not to be in a "critical situation" within the meaning of that Article, given current levels of temporary protection beneficiaries, international protection applicants, and the national housing emergency; to publish any correspondence with the commission on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46086/26]

As the Deputy will be aware, the International Protection Act 2026, which came into effect on 12 June, gives effect to the EU Migration and Asylum Pact, which has been designed to establish a common approach to migration and asylum that is partly based on the concepts of solidarity and responsibility amongst Member States.

I would ask the Deputy to note that neither Article 7(6) of the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2024/1351) nor any other provision of that Regulation makes provision for a Member State being in a “critical situation”.

The Asylum and Migration Management Regulation (AMMR) introduces a permanent, mandatory solidarity mechanism that will operate annually and be coordinated by the European Commission.

Under the Solidarity Mechanism, Member States must either accept relocations of asylum applicants from other Member States or pledge contributions to the Annual Solidarity Pool according to their fair share, based on 50% share of population and 50% share of GDP.

In the first Annual Migration Management Cycle, Ireland was deemed ‘At Risk of Migratory Pressure’ and will have priority access to an EU Migration Support Toolbox.

Deduction of solidarity contribution under Article 62 is available particularly for Member States facing significant migratory situation pursuant to Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/2323.

The first ‘Solidarity Pool’ has been agreed by the EU, and Ireland will not be accepting relocations due to pressures on our current system. Ireland will make an expected payment of up to €9.26 million in 2027 as a support to countries under the most extreme pressure.