Ireland is expected to opt for a financial contribution to frontline migration states in an emergency situation rather than take in migrants from those member states.
The issue will be discussed at a key meeting of EU justice ministers in Brussels, where member states are expected to sign off on elements of the EU Migration Pact.
Under the pact, it is proposed that if frontline migration states, such as Italy or Greece, are overwhelmed by sudden migration flows, a solidarity mechanism would take effect, where other member states would agree to take in migrants to relieve the burden, or to pay a financial contribution.
The EU Migration Pact was proposed following major migration flows around a decade ago in which Greece and Italy had to initially cope with large numbers of migrants fleeing the Syrian civil war as well as migrant flows across the Mediterranean.
The pact will provide for swifter screening of migrants with greater security and health checks, and a more streamlined returns system.
There will also be a so-called solidarity pool.
In situations where frontline states are suddenly receiving large numbers of migrants, other member states would agree to share the burden by either taking in some of those individuals for screening, or pay into a common migration fund.
Ireland is expected to opt for the latter. The European Commission has designated Ireland as being under migratory pressure because of a shortage of accommodation and reception facilities.
Ministers are also negotiating a returns regulation to replace an earlier directive.
Figures show that only 20% of asylum seekers who have had their applications rejected are returned to their country of origin.
The new regulation would broaden the grounds for detention pending a return agreement, and would permit the return of a failed asylum seeker to their own country, or a safe third country without their consent.
