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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 1 Jun 1994

Vol. 443 No. 5

Refugee Protection Bill, 1994: First Stage.

I move:

That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to provide in the law of the State the protection extended to refugees in international law, for that purpose to give effect in the law of the State to certain provisions of the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees done at Geneva on 28th July, 1951, as amended by the Protocol to the Convention done at New York on 31st January, 1967, to which the State is already a party, to establish a Refugee Appeals Tribunal, to make certain amendments to the Aliens Act, 1935 and to provide for other matters connected with the matters aforesaid.

I hope the Government will not oppose the First Stage of this Bill, the Second Stage of which will then be taken in Private Members' Time. I invite the Government to consider——

Sorry, Deputy Shatter, I have received no notice from you of your intention to raise this matter now.

The Bills Office was notified yesterday evening. The normal procedure is for Second Stage to be taken during Private Members' Time.

Is the Bill opposed?

In that case I will withdraw my opposition.

The Government's Refugee Bill has been with the parliamentary draftsman for more than two months and as soon as we get it back it will be published.

It is for millionaires.

Financial refugees.

The political refugees are over there.

I invite the Taoiseach to take the Bill during Government time so that this issue can be given the priority it deserves, to treat impecunious people seeking political asylum in the same way as wealthy individuals who are investing large sums of money.

Question put and agreed to.

I move: "That Second Stage be taken in Private Members' Time."

Question put and agreed to.
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