asked the Minister for Justice (a) the number of people who have sought political asylum in 1985, 1986 and 1987 (b) the number to whom asylum was granted (c) the number who have stayed on in the State and (d) the basis under which those who apply for political asylum are granted it.
Written Answers. - Political Asylum.
88.
The statistics requested at (a), (b) and (c) are as follows:
|
1985 |
1986 |
1987(to date) |
|
|
(a)No. who sought political asylum |
45 |
23 |
72 |
|
(b)No. to whom asylum was granted |
39* |
5 |
15 |
|
(c)No. who stayed on in the State |
5 |
8 |
16 |
*(includes a group of 26 Bahai's)
As regards (d), the position is that applications for political asylum are examined in the context of the 1951 United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees. A person who obtains refugee status is automatically allowed stay. A person who is refused it, may be allowed stay, for example for humanitarian reasons, or may be sent back.