The International Protection Appeals Tribunal was established in December 2016 in accordance with section 61 of the International Protection Act 2015. The Tribunal is a statutorily independent body and exercises a quasi-judicial function.
Part 10 of the International Protection Act 2015 established the Tribunal as an appellate body providing an effective remedy for applicants for international protection in respect of recommendations of international protection officers. The functions of the members and staff of the Tribunal are also set out in Part 10 of the 2015 Act.
The Act, especially Parts 2, 3 (as amended), 4 and 6, set out the various legal rules within which the Tribunal operates when dealing with the appeals within its jurisdiction. These legal rules have been supplemented by the European Union (Dublin System) Regulations 2018, in respect of appeals concerning transfer decisions made by an international protection officer under the Dublin III Regulation (Regulation 604/2013). Since 1 July 2018, the Tribunal has also determined appeals pursuant to the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018-2021.
All in all, the Tribunal’s current legislative remit is to determine appeals from first instance decisions in respect of:
The Tribunal is inquisitorial in nature and independent in the performance of its decision making functions. The Members of the Tribunal must ensure that the cases assigned to them are managed efficiently and disposed of as expeditiously as is consistent with fairness and natural justice.
Please Note:
The International Protection Act 2026 gives effect to the measures of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact.
A new State body, the Tribunal for Asylum and Returns Appeals (TARA) was established on 12 June 2026 to assess appeals under the 2026 Act.
If you have applied for international protection on or after 12 June 2026, and you have received a first-instance decision, please contact TARA if you wish to appeal that decision.
The International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) will continue to operate and process appeals under the existing International Protection Act 2015 (as amended) i.e. those applications determined by the International Protection Office before 12 June 2026.
Please note that the IPAT will not receive any emails or correspondence sent to the TARA. When corresponding with the IPAT, please ensure that you are using the correct address/email address.