Vol. 566 No. 1
257 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the reason the Irish delegation to the Human Rights Commission does not consult the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform with regard to the human rights abuses suffered by asylum seekers. [11838/03]
My Department consults fully with other Departments with regard to issues arising at the UN Commission on Human Rights, which come within their areas of responsibility.
The UN Commission on Human Rights does not include the question of asylum seekers or refugees under any item on its agenda, nor has the issue arisen at any recent sessions of the commission. Therefore, the question of consulting with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform on this issue does not arise.
The issues of asylum and refugee protection are considered, at an intergovernmental level within the UN system, by the executive committee of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, which meets on an annual basis in Geneva and of which Ireland is a member.
