Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 8 Feb 1995

Vol. 448 No. 7

Written Answers. - Refugee Status.

Kathleen Lynch

Question:

22 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications for refugee status received during 1994; the applicants' countries of origin; the number of applications granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2546/95]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

A total of 355 applications for refugee status were received in 1994; one applicant was refused recognition as a refugee; 22 applications were withdrawn and the remainder are being considered in accordance with the provisions of the 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees as amended by the 1967 New York Protocol and in consultation with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR).

I do not believe that it would be proper to disclose information on the nationalities of the applicants having regard to the general and understandable desire on the part of individual applicants to ensure that an application for recognition as a refugee is processed in confidence. As the number of applicants of some nationalities is small, it would be relatively easy in some instances to identify particular individuals if nationality statistics were provided. Such identification could have serious implications, particularly if members of an applicant's family are still in the country of origin. However, the number of applications in 1994 shows a significant increase over previous years and it is no secret that the increase is due primarily to a large number of applications by Cuban nationals, of which there are 239.

On balance, I would consider it important that confidentiality be maintained in these cases and, therefore, I would not be in favour of giving the nationalities of all who have sought refugee status in the State.