Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 6 Oct 1998

Vol. 494 No. 4

Written Answers. - Asylum Applications.

John Gormley

Question:

387 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform whether the United Nations High Commission for Refugees has given its support to the temporary administrative procedures used by his Department in processing asylum claims; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18320/98]

John Gormley

Question:

388 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the temporary procedures in place in relation to the processing of applications for refugee and asylum status will be replaced by those laid down in the Refugee Act, 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18321/98]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 387 and 388 together.

New arrangements for processing claims to refugee status were introduced in December last following extensive consultation with the UNHCR. These procedures were amended in March to provide for an independent appeal in manifestly unfounded cases. The new procedures — a copy of which is available from the Dáil Library — follow the philosophy of the Refugee Act and the London representative of the UNHCR has stated that they provide for a balanced administrative procedure pending the entry into force of the Refugee Act, 1996.

I am satisfied that the new procedures are fair, reasonable and transparent and accord with our international obligations and humanitarian traditions in this area. It is intended to review the question of the implementation of the Refugee Act in the light of the comparative study between Irish and EU member states refugee legislation which has been commissioned and is due to be completed by the end of 1998 and the experience gained in the Department in the operation of the current procedures.