Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004
1070 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be made in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny; and if a decision in the case will be expedited. [21746/04]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Refugee Act, 1996, two independent statutory offices were established to consider applications/appeals for refugee status and to 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 that the Refugee Appeals Tribunal has recently forwarded the file in this case to my Department and a final decision will issue as soon as possible.
