A Time for Hope?: The European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018

Abstract

Within EU law, the language of ‘reception’ of asylum seekers masks the reality of asylum seeker exclusion from human rights protections. Whether we like it or not, the EU Reception Conditions Directive is not wholly human rights based nor human rights compliant. Nevertheless, that said, the coming into force of the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 is to be welcomed. At this stage (November 2018), even with reservations on its total compliance with human rights norms and standards, there is I argue, the potential for further enhancing the rights and entitlements of asylum seekers in Ireland.

Keywords: Directive 2013/33/EU, Direct Provision, Ireland, Work, Asylum Seekers, Law, European Union Law, Irish Law, The European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018