Question:
356 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the action, if any, he has taken to resolve a case (details supplied) which is holding up the implementaion of the Refugee Act, 1996. [20572/98]
Written Answers. - Refugee Commissioner
I would refer the Deputy to my replies to Questions Nos. 16 of 25 June 1998 and 160 of 14 May 1998. As the matter is sub-judice I have nothing further to add.
I have already informed the House that quite apart from the impasse in relation to the appointment of the Refugee Commissioner, I am of the view that the Act in its current form is unworkable. The administrative procedures provided in the Act could not cope with the large number of applications being made and the backlog of cases thus generated.
It is intended to review the question of the implementation of the Act in the light of the conclusions of a comparative study between Irish and EU member states refugee legislation which has been commissioned and is due to be completed by the end of the year and the experience gained in my Department in the operation of the current procedures.