Setting the record straight: EU Migration Pact. There appears to be confusion about how Protocol 21 operates. Articles 3, 4 or 8 of Protocol 21 are not opt out provisions. At Article 3 or 4 Ireland can opt in to any EU measure under Title V of Part 3 of TFEU in the areas of freedom, security and justice (including immigration). The deal was sealed to opt in to 7 measures of the EU Migration Pact when it was voted on by politicians in Leinster House and the Seanad on 26th June 2024. The government notified the EU Commission on 27th June 2024. Ireland became legally bound when the adoption of the seven measures were published in the Official Journal of Europe in August 2024. The EU Migration Pact is being rolled out with varying commencement dates. Most of the measures will apply to international protecrion applicants from 12th June 2026. In Ireland, the International Protection Act 2026 was signed into law by the President on 22nd April 2026, to take effect of the seven measures of the EU Migration Pact. There has been some suggestion that Article 8 operates as an opt out. It does NOT. Article 8 (below) provides Ireland with a mechanism to notify the EU Council that it no longer wants to be covered by the terms of Protocol 21. This would be a travesty for Ireland as it would mean we would forever lose the right to not participate in EU measures on freedom, security and justice, as we would be treated just like any other EU Member State. The politicians sold out Ireland when they opted into the EU Migration Pact on 26th June 2024. It is fundamental that the Irish people demand that the politicians start to put our interests first. The Irish people should put pressure on the government to apply for a full exemption to the relocation quotas under Article 62 of AMMR, like Poland did, and demand that our whole immigration system is overhauled as we have reached beyond crisis point. That includes international protection applicants and the extension of work visas. We are exporting our young people to foreign shores whilst the government are planning to widen the net for general work permits and get rid of the 50: 50 rule, meaning that work visas for immigrants are limited to 50% of an employer's workforce. The indigenous Irish are being discriminated against in all walks of life.