2413. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether officials within his Department have undertaken research, prepared briefing papers, attended meetings with the European Commission or other member states, or received legal advice regarding the possible establishment or use of asylum return hubs outside the European Union; and if he will provide details of such work undertaken since 1 January 2025. [58725/26]

The Returns Regulation will establish a Common European system for returns, with simpler, swifter and more effective returns procedures across the EU, and contains provisions relating to the establishment of return hubs.

Following the publication of the regulation in March 2025 national experts attended EU Working Party meetings, where a detailed examination of the legislative text was conducted and agreement on a compromise text was reached by Member States.

Article 17 of the Regulation provides for the legal possibility to establish return hubs in third countries. Under this provision, people who have received deportation orders and have no legal right to remain within the Member State may be returned to a third country with which there is a bilateral agreement or arrangement, provided certain conditions are met, including in particular the respect of international human rights standards and principles in accordance with international law.

It should be noted that the establishment of return hubs under the regulation is not mandatory and that it will be up to individual Member States to determine whether they will seek to establish such an arrangement with a third country.

Ireland has shown its commitment to a common EU-wide solution to migration through opting in to the Pact. Harmonisation in the area of returns is equally important and it is the Government’s preference that Ireland would participate in the Returns Regulation. Ireland considers that any proposed use of returns hubs must be sustainable, cost-effective and carried out in accordance with fundamental rights.

A decision was taken to change the legal basis of the Regulation, meaning that it now forms part of the Schengen Acquis. Consideration of Ireland’s participation in the measure by way of an opt-in under Protocol 19 TFEU is ongoing and any such opt-in will be subject to approval by the Houses of the Oireachtas.