Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 3 Jun 1998

Vol. 491 No. 6

Written Answers. - Asylum Applications.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

254 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the EU policy regarding the intake of refugees or asylum seekers into members states; the extent to which this policy is being followed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13100/98]

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

In respect of refugee admissions, member states generally respond on an individual basis to international appeals by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. In this way, Ireland has at different times admitted groups of refugees from, for example, Vietnam and the former Yugoslavia. Provision has also been made in respect of both groups for the admission of family members and, in the case of Bosnia, of a number of medical evacuees.

Prompted by the refugee situation as a result of the conflict in the former Yugoslavia, the EU Council in September 1995 adopted a resolution on burden-sharing, more generally, with regard to the admission and residence of displaced persons on a temporary basis. The resolution recognises that a given situation may require harmonised action to help persons displaced by conflict where there is, or is likely to be, a large influx into the territories of EU member states. Any such action would be considered in consultation with the UNHCR, and would have regard to contributions already being made by individual member states in response to a particular situation.

The only EU policy as regards the intake of asylum seekers into member states is the Dublin Convention which guarantees asylum seekers who arrive in the territory or at the borders of a member state of the European Communities that their application will be examined fully by one country in accordance with that country's determination procedure. Section 22 of the Refugee Act, 1996 provides for the implementation of the Dublin Convention and the Dublin Convention Implementation Order, 1997 sets out the procedure for the processing of applications which fall within the ambit of the convention.