Richard Bruton
Question:118 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the criteria, if any, on which refugee status is granted; and whether he exercises any discretion in these applications. [3691/98]
Written Answers. - Refugee Status.
The basic criteria for establishing who is entitled to be granted refugee status is the definition set out at section 2 of the Refugee Act, 1996. This provides, inter alia, that a refugee is someone who owing to well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his or her nationality and is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it. Each application is considered on its own merits and where the above definition is met the person is granted refugee status.
There are occasions where the criteria are not met but good reasons exist where the person in question should not be returned to his or her country of origin at this particular point in time. In such an instance, consideration is given to allowing the person temporary permission to remain in the State.