ICMPD Director General Michael Spindelegger met with Ireland’s Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan, and Minister of State for Migration Colm Brophy to discuss strengthening work together on the country’s migration priorities. On 14-15 May 2025, Mr Spindelegger and Deputy Director General Sedef Dearing were joined by senior ICMPD staff as part of their first official visit to Dublin, following Ireland’s accession as ICMPD Member State last year.
Discussions with Minister O’Callaghan and Minister Brophy focused on Ireland’s priorities in the migration agenda, including international protection, return and reintegration, legal and labour migration, and its growing engagement in the external dimension of European migration policy. Senior officials from the Irish Department of Justice, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, among others, were also present. The visit was part of a series of high-level meetings to advance strategic migration cooperation across the region.
“Migration is a highly complex matter, requiring strong cooperation and partnership due to its cross-border nature. Therefore, we look forward to working with Ireland as our newest Member State, to further strengthen ICMPD’s contributions and to support Ireland's migration agenda; including the implementation of the EU Pact for Migration and Asylum, support to Ukrainians under Temporary Protection, and reinforcing Ireland’s already impressive engagement on migration dialogue internationally,” said Mr Spindelegger.
The mission reaffirmed ICMPD’s commitment to support to its Member States. For Ireland, this was an occasion for ICMPD to highlight its support to its newest Member State across its migration priorities, including ongoing activities to implement the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, and strengthen voluntary return and reintegration mechanisms through the ICMPD’s EU-funded Return and Reintegration Facility (RRF).
Mr Spindelegger, Ms Dearing, and Minister O’Callaghan also discussed possible joint actions relating to Ukrainians under temporary protection as well as collaboration in areas such as labour migration, skills attraction and integration.
Ireland's Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O'Callaghan welcoming ICMPD Director General Michael Spindelegger. Mr Spindelegger was also joined by ICMPD Deputy Director General Sedef Dearing and senior ICMPD staff as part of their first official visit to Dublin, following Ireland's accession as ICMPD Member State last year