Joe Higgins
Question:41 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for the delay in the implementation of the Refugee Act, 1997 and when the Act will be fully implemented. [17067/97]
Written Answers. - Refugee Legislation.
Michael Creed
Question:46 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will implement all sections of the Refugee Act, 1996 immediately. [16865/97]
Brian O'Shea
Question:57 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the timescale for the implementation of the Refugee Act, 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16871/97]
Brian O'Shea
Question:64 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the timescale for the implementation of the Refugee Act, 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17084/97]
Eamon Gilmore
Question:73 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when it is intended to implement the Refugee Act in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16999/97]
Question:
96 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the measures undertaken to ensure the full implementation of the Refugee Act, 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16861/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 41, 46, 57, 64, 73 and 96 together.
I would refer the Deputies to my reply of 30 September 1997 to Questions Nos. 454, 465, 470, 478, 484, 485, 486, 489, 494, 500, 501, 504, 507, 508, 509, 524 and 532. In that reply I stated, inter alia, that
I have already made an Order commencing sections 1, 2, 5, 22 and 25 of the Refugee Act, 1996, with effect from 29 August last.
At present there is a High Court injunction preventing the appointment of a Refugee Applications Commissioner under the Act. Because of this litigation, I am not in a position to appoint a refugee applications commissioner, an appointment central to the introduction of the remaining sections of the Act.
As Deputies will be aware, the number of applications for asylum in the State continues to increase. This is a source of concern to me, as Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, and also to my Ministerial colleagues having regard to the impact on State services dealing with welfare, housing, health care and so forth.
I am reviewing the entire situation, in conjunction with my Cabinet colleagues with responsibilities in these areas, with a view to taking whatever measures are required to deal quickly and fairly with asylum applicants. Should those measures include proposals for legislation, such proposals will be brought forward in the usual way.
The situation has not changed since then.