The Minister for Justice and Law Reform has withdrawn the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2008 (IRP Bill) which is now to be redrafted to take into account a large number of amendments. The Minister has stated that it will be more expedient to publish a new Bill than to proceed with the IRP Bill, which was due for report stage after lengthy debate. Legislation to replace the IRP Bill is expected to be introduced in the autumn. The Bill aims, among other things, to overhaul the state's immigration and protection legislation including the asylum process and long-term residence status.