Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Sep 2003

Vol. 571 No. 1

Written Answers. - Naturalisation Applications.

John McGuinness

Question:

1178 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of an application for naturalisation in the name of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and when a decision is likely in this case. [20443/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

It is understood from the Deputy's office that this question relates to an asylum application.

Under the Refugee Act, 1996, two independent statutory offices were established to consider applications 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, ORAC, 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.

A decision on the application in question will be made upon receipt of the recommendation of the Refugee Applications Commissioner or the Refugee Appeals Tribunal as appropriate.