Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 October 2012
443. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there are alternative options available in terms of identification to those whose applications for asylum are refused and their photo IDs are removed from their possession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42692/12]
View answerWhen asylum applicants arrives in the State they are provided with a Temporary Residence Card, TRC. The issuing of TRCs comes within the provisions of Section 9 of the Refugee Act 1996 which provides that persons arriving at the frontiers seeking asylum must be given leave to enter the State and are entitled to remain until: (a) their application is transferred under the EU Dublin Regulation (EC 343/2003); (b) the application is withdrawn or deemed withdrawn; or (c) the date on which notice is sent that the Minister has refused the application.
Persons whose applications are concluded are outside the asylum process and their entitlement to remain in the State under the provisions of the Refugee Act ceases. Appropriate arrangements are in place with relevant State agencies to confirm the status of such persons. The TRC specifically states on it that it is not an identity card and cannot be relied on as such.
