Vol. 558 No. 6
167 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his proposals to increase the annual number of refugees received by Ireland under the United Nations High Commission for Refugees resettlement programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25295/02]
The Deputy will no doubt be aware of the inherent power in the Government, as part of its general powers and obligations to control the entry to and stay in the State of non-nationals, to determine these matters. The current exercise of this power is exemplified by the arrangements in place whereby up to ten persons, and members of their families, categorised as vulnerable persons, are admitted to the State as programme refugees each year in accordance with an agreement between Ireland, for which my colleague the Minister for Foreign Affairs has responsibility, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
I am considering, in conjunction with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the possibility of this power generally being reflected in statute law in the context of a series of amendments to be included in the Immigration Bill, 2002, which I expect to bring forward to Government for approval shortly.
Details of any final proposals in this regard will be announced in the usual manner in due course.
