I would refer the Deputy to my earlier replies given to Parliamentary Questions Numbers 345 and 266 of the 8th and 9th March 2005 respectively. The person concerned was granted refugee status in the State on the 11th January 2000. He was subsequently charged with and convicted of people trafficking offences in Belgium and served a prison sentence in that country for those offences.
As these offences are incompatible with the principles of 1951 United Nation Convention for Refugees, his refugee status was revoked on the 18th February 2005, under Section 21 (1) (g) of the Refugee Act, 1996. He has appealed this revocation to the High Court as is his right under Section 21 (5) of the Refugee Act, 1996. I am informed by the Chief State Solicitor's Office that the case is up for mention on the 8th March 2007 when it is expected that a hearing will be fixed by the Court for a date later in the current law term. In the meantime the person concerned is not required to leave the State before the final determination of his appeal or, as the case maybe, the withdrawal of the appeal — Section 21 (6) of the Refugee Act, 1996 refers.