Vol. 540 No. 2
242 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Gambian nationals fleeing from oppression are being sent back from Dublin Airport without having the chance to seek asylum; the rules which are being applied in this regard; and the procedures in place to monitor the behaviour of State officials in Dublin Airport dealing with asylum seekers. [20440/01]
Section 9(1) of the Refugee Act, 1996, as amended requires that a person who claims asylum upon arrival in the State be admitted, even if they do not fulfil the normal criteria for entry. In conjunction with the commencement in full by me of the refugee Act in November 2000, a series of training courses dealing with the Act were held for immigration officers. The instructions issued at these courses emphasised the obligation on an immigration officer to assist an asylum applicant in making his or her application and to comply generally with the provisions of the Act. In addition, the Garda authorities have issued a headquarters directive concerning the provisions of the Act for the information of all members of the Garda Síochana, including those members assigned as immigration officers.
