Vol. 419 No. 3
22 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been drawn to the strong criticisms expressed at the recent conference organised by the Irish Refugee Council regarding the handling by his Department of refugees and asylum seekers; if he will outline his response to the criticisms; if he intends to introduce any special training procedures for officials dealing with refugees, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I have not been made aware of any of the views expressed at the Conference referred to by the Deputy. My Department has recently been in contact with a representative of the Irish Refugee Council who did not advert to any criticism allegedly made at any conference.
Special instructions have been issued to all immigration officers who interview individual applicants for political asylum and, where necessary, arrangements for translation facilities are made.
I consider each application myself, after consultation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Department of Foreign Affairs.
