Rapid processing of refugee claims within weeks and extended detention periods for asylum-seekers are among proposed legal changes to be introduced by the Minister for Justice.
Mr McDowell wants to put in place a "super-fast" refugee determination process for asylum-seekers from countries deemed safe and therefore not likely to be refugees fleeing persecution.
Applicants from safe countries would have their claims processed in large accommodation centres such as the former Mosney holiday camp in Co Meath and the Balseskin centre in north Co Dublin.
Legal advice and interpreter facilities would be available on site to allow initial decisions to be taken within days. Currently, all asylum applicants are assigned accommodation around the State but must travel to Dublin for refugee interviews.
Where applications to be allowed to remain in the State as refugees are turned down, under the "super-fast" procedures the appeals would be heard within a shortened period.
Anyone whose case was deemed "manifestly unfounded" would have four working days to appeal, as opposed to the current 10.
The proposals are part of a package of reforms, many of which are likely to be opposed by refugee groups and opposition TDs.
The proposals, yet to be finalised, are included in amendments to the Immigration Bill 2003, and come as recent figures have shown a small drop in the number of asylum claims made this year compared to last.
The proposals include provision for automatic fingerprinting of children asylum-seekers. Currently only applicants aged 14 or over can have their fingerprints taken but the authorities are increasingly concerned that children are being trafficked into the State.
The plan includes an extension of the period asylum-seekers can be detained for from consecutive periods of 10 days to consecutive periods of up to 21 days.