Dermot Ahern
Question:81 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Justice if she will commission a study in order to examine the possibility of Ireland granting environmental refugee status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2411/97]
Written Answers. - Refugee Status.
I refer the Deputy to my reply to his Question No. 259 of 28 January 1997 on the same matter. In that reply I stated that the concept of refugee status is generally defined as applying to a person who, owing to a well-founded fear of persecution, is outside his or her country of nationality and, owing to such fear, is unable or unwilling to avail of the protection of that country. That is the definition contained in the 1951 UN convention relating to the status of refugees. The convention infers also that a threat to life or freedom on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group is always persecution.
The Refugee Act, 1996, which will become operational later this year, follows the definition contained in the 1951 convention. I have no proposals to commision a study as proposed by the Deputy.