Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Mar 1993

Vol. 428 No. 1

Written Answers. - Refugee Status.

Liz McManus

Question:

187 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide persons who have been refused asylum in this country with written reasons setting out the grounds for the refusal; if she will ensure that all reviews of negative decisions are in accordance with the written agreement between herself and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees which provides that, in all cases where she proposes to refuse asylum the UNHCR will be notified and given an opportunity to comment on the case, that UNHCR receives all relevant documents on each case including the notes made by immigration officers, and that asylum seekers are informed of their right to have their cases reviewed.

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

Persons whose application for refugee status under the 1951 Geneva Convention are refused are informed in writing of the reasons for refusal. All applications for refugee status are referred to the UNHCR for their observations. I would refer the Deputy to my reply on 17 February (priority Questions Nos. 8 and 46 together) which dealt comprehensively with the asylum issue.

Liz McManus

Question:

188 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice if she will ensure that persons who make a claim for asylum upon arrival at a port of entry in this country are interviewed by immigration officers with special training in international refugee law and the special situation of asylum seekers; if she will ensure that officials of her Department who decide on such claims are given such special training and that asylum seekers at a port of entry are informed both of their right to legal counsel and of their right to contact the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

Persons who apply for asylum are, in the first instance, interviewed by immigration officers who are members of an Garda Síochána, who receive special training on asylum law. Interpreters are provided where necessary and the results of the interviews are invariably sent to UNHCR. In addition, each applicant is informed that he may contact UNHCR or a local representative.

Officials of my Department do not decide whether an applicant for refugee status complies with the requirements of the 1951 Geneva Convention. That decision is taken by the Minister personally.

Liz McManus

Question:

189 Ms. McManus asked the Minister for Justice if she will introduce legislation which incorporates the definition of a refugee as set out in the 1951 convention into Irish law.

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

I could not undertake, by way of response to a Parliamentary Question, to disclose what particular legislative proposals I may have in mind. Any such proposals will, in the normal way, be brought before the Government, and, if approved, will be announced in the usual manner.