Vol. 473 No. 4
203 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the plans, if any, he has to extend the provision of legal aid to asylum seekers following implementation of the Refugee Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1794/97]
The implementation of the Refugee Act, 1996 and the extension of legal aid to asylum seekers are matters for my colleague, the Minister for Justice. I understand that during the passage of the Bill through the Oireachtas, my Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Justice, and Deputy Joan Burton, Minister of State at the Department of Justice with responsibility for asylum matters, gave commitments that a suitable State scheme of legal aid for asylum seekers would be set up. I understand that the Department of Justice, which is in the process of undertaking the implementation of the Refugee Act, is engaged in developing such a scheme as part of that process. In the circumstances, I do not propose to extend the scope of the Civil Legal Aid Act, 1995 to those seeking asylum in this State.
