John McGuinness
Question:370 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if arrangements will be made for a new date for consideration for persons (details supplied). [6822/02]
Written Answers. - Refugee Status.
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Refugee Act, 1996, two independent statutory offices were established to consider applications-appeals for refugee status and make recommendations to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on whether such status should be granted. These two offices are the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner, which considers applications for a declaration as a refugee at first instance and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal which considers applications for a declaration at appeal stage.
I understand from the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal that the applications in question are still under consideration and a decision will be made on receipt of the recommendation of the Refugee Applications Commissioner or the Refugee Appeals Tribunal as appropriate.