Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 Oct 1992

Vol. 423 No. 1

Written Answers. - Application for Political Asylum.

Donal Carey

Question:

182 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been drawn to the fact that an Iraqi doctor applied for political asylum at Shannon Airport, County Clare, on 22 September 1992, and that he has been committed to prison in Limerick Jail without meeting a solicitor, contrary to the 1985 agreement between the then Minister for Justice and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; and if he will make a statement on his intentions to end this practice of lodging asylum applicants in prison without legal aid.

Minister for Justice (Mr. Flynn)

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the person concerned was discovered at Shannon Airport apparently attempting to destroy or mutilate a travel document. I am further informed that the immigration officer refused him leave to land and that he was accordingly detained as provided by law.

He applied for political asylum and that application is being processed in conjunction with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Department of Foreign Affairs. He has engaged a legal representative on his behalf who has been in touch with my Department.

It is the policy of the Government to afford every possible opportunity to asylum seekers to present their case fully. As regards the final part of the question, it is neither the policy nor the practice to imprison asylum seekers as such. However, the detention under law of persons who attempt to enter the State illegally, until such time as they can be returned to the country from which they came, or their cases can be otherwise resolved, is in keeping with general international norms in immigration matters.