Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 6 Feb 1996

Vol. 461 No. 1

Written Answers - Bosnian Refugees.

Desmond J. O'Malley

Question:

56 Mr. O'Malley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the steps, if any, he will take to arrange the immediate repatriation to Bosnia of so many of the Bosnian refugees in Ireland who wish to return to their country; and if priority arrangements could be made for the immediate repatriation of 15 men from Zepa who are currently in Cherry Orchard, Dublin 10, after release from Serbian concentration camps and who are anxious to be reunited with their families in Bosnia. [2356/96]

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

The position of the Irish Government is that, while Bosnian programme refugees may stay in Ireland for as long as they wish, they will be facilitated to the maximum extent possible in the event of their deciding to return to their homeland. This would include the payment of travel costs.

The Deputy may wish to be aware that the United Nations High Commission for Refugees has indicated that, pending the establishment of a structured large-scale rapatriation programme and of adequate reception and reintegration arrangements for returning refugees, UNHCR is not yet in a position to provide material or logistical support to individual refugees from other European countries who choose to return to Bosnia. In the event of programme refugees deciding that they wish to return home without UNHCR assistance my Department will give them every assistance possible in current circumstances.