Vol. 491 No. 2
91 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of applications for political asylum in the first four months of 1998; the number of asylum seekers ordered to leave the country during the first four months of 1998; when it is planned to implement in full the Refugee Act, 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11370/98]
The number of applications for refugee status lodged in the first four months of 1998 was 1,785.
In the same period a total of 33 deportation orders were made. Nineteen were made in accordance with the provisions of the Dublin Convention and 11 persons have been removed on foot of these orders: a further three persons left the State voluntarily. Fourteen orders have been made in respect of persons who have had full recourse to the asylum procedure and these have resulted in one person being removed from the State.
As I stated in my reply to Questions Nos. 53, 84, 96 and 120 on 10 February 1998, having given careful consideration to the matter, I have decided not to proceed with the implementation of the remaining sections of the Refugee Act, 1996 at present. My reasons are as set out in that reply. I elaborated further on this matter in my contribution to the Debate on the Asylum Seekers (Regularisation of Status) (No 2) Bill, 1998 on 10 March 1998 to which I refer the Deputy.
My Department is in the process of commissioning a comparative study of Irish law and that of our EU partners. The outcome of this study will be used by me in my consideration of this matter.
