Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 3 Jun 1998

Vol. 491 No. 6

Written Answers. - Refugee Protection.

Liz McManus

Question:

243 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will give a commitment that the standards of refugee protection applied in any amendments will be at least as high as those afforded by the Refugee Act, 1996 in regard to his comments during the debate on the Asylum Seekers (Regularisation of Status) (No. 2) Bill, 1998 in which he said that changes may be necessary to the Refugee Act to align Irish policy more closely with that of our European partners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12764/98]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I have recently sought and received tenders for a comparative study between Irish and EU member states refugee legislation. This study is due to be completed by 31 December 1998 and its conclusions will be an important component in the review of the Refugee Act, 1996.

I am not prepared at this stage to pre-empt the evaluation of the study. However, any review of the Refugee Act will be in accordance with our international obligations and humanitarian traditions in this area.

Liz McManus

Question:

244 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the concern that his comments during the debate on the Asylum Seekers (Regularisation of Status) (No. 2) Bill, 1998, that in the current international context only 10 per cent of asylum seekers were given refugee status, may have given the impression that the majority of asylum seekers were bogus; if his attention has further been drawn to the view of the UNHCR that refugee recognition rates are a reflection of the increasingly restrictive refugee and immigration policies pursued by the world's most affluent societies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12765/98]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I do not accept that any comments made by me at any time could be seen to inflame racism in Ireland. However, the increased number of asylum seekers arriving here has, unfortunately, given rise to expressions of racism that were not articulated in Irish society up to now. This has to be a matter of considerable concern and regret to all responsible people. Last December, as the Deputy is aware, this House unanimously passed a motion which, among other things, condemned sentiments and manifestations of racism as inimical to respect for the dignity of all human beings and deplored hostile statements or acts directed against those from other countries seeking refuge in the State. I reiterate that condemnation and I know Deputies join me in this.

However, the challenge facing European states in general — and facing Ireland at the moment — is to create structures which will enable those individuals who are refugees to be quickly identified and supported while at the same time, to preserve the integrity of the refugee concept and public confidence in the system generally, equally to quickly identify those who are not refugees and where necessary arrange for their repatriation. In that regard, one has to bear in mind the clear and repeated view of the UNHCR that in order to maintain the integrity of the asylum process, those who do not qualify to remain in a country should not be allowed to remain.

Liz McManus

Question:

245 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Spanish Protocol to the Amsterdam Treaty, which restricts the rights of EU citizens to seek asylum in other EU states, undermines Ireland's obligations under the 1951 Convention on Refugees to consider each asylum seeker's case on its own merits; and if the Government intends to follow the lead of the Belgian Government by availing of an exemption which would allow Ireland not to apply this protocol. [12766/98]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 310 of 4 November 1997. I have nothing further to add.

Liz McManus

Question:

246 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will confirm that the application for asylum of any asylum seeker will not be affected detrimentally should that person report to the Garda any offence committed against him or her in view of the considerable fear among some asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12767/98]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 113 of 27 May 1998.