Dining with a new partner? The end of Ireland’s á la carte approach to the EU Common European Asylum System - Common Market Law Review View Dining with a new partner? The end of Ireland’s á la carte approach to the EU Common European Asylum System by - Common Market Law Review Dining with a new partner? The end of Ireland’s á la carte approach to the EU Common European Asylum System 62 4

In 2024, Ireland opted in to seven of the nine legislative measures of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum and signalled its intention to ‘align’ with the remaining two. This represents a significant change in policy orientation – from a selective engagement with the Common European Asylum System inspired, to some extent at least, by the UK, to a much fuller commitment to EU asylum law. This article investigates the causes and consequences of Ireland’s previous opt in/opt out approach to the Common European Asylum System and explores why Ireland has effectively swapped the à la carte dining experience with Britain for the Brussels set menu. Although the à la carte approach has led to profound and largely negative consequences for the Irish asylum landscape, the article nonetheless concludes that it may be precisely the wrong moment for a more comprehensive engagement with EU asylum law. 

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