Vol. 488 No. 6
173 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the extent, if any, he has consulted with other EU member states in regard to refugees seeking admission to the EU; if he is considering the implementation of an EU wide policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6871/98]
The Treaty on European Union, the Maastricht Treaty, brought all areas of co-operation in Justice and Home Affairs, including asylum, under the one roof. Co-operation is intergovernmental but the treaty gives a formal legal basis for a more integrated approach to that co-operation. The treaty provides that asylum policy is regarded as a matter of common interest for the purposes of achieving the objectives of the Union, particularly the free movement of persons, and accordingly there is an obligation on us to co-operate with our EU partners in the development of asylum policy.
The issue of asylum seekers and refugees is regularly discussed at both ministerial and working party level in the EU. Various initiatives in this area involving co-operation at an EU level, for example, a resolution for minimum guarantees for asylum procedures, means of proof in the framework of the Dublin Convention, have taken place over the years. Consultations take place regularly with colleagues in Europe on asylum and refugee matters and Ireland continues to co-operate with her partners in this regard.
174 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of refugees awaiting a decision in relation to their application for refugee status or a similar status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6872/98]
After lodging asylum applications a number of asylum seekers fail to contact my Department or prove to be totally uncontactable. These applications are deemed to be abandoned and are treated as withdrawn. When account is taken of this factor there were 4,613 applications for asylum awaiting finalisation as of 28 February 1998.
