Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 April 2013
484. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on his plans to reform the immigration system in relation to the length of time for court cases in this area to be heard and decided upon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18505/13]
View answerWork on the details of the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2010 is ongoing at my Department pursuant to current Government policy which is committed, under the Programme for Government and National Recovery, to "introduce comprehensive reforms of the immigration, residency and asylum systems, which will include a statutory appeals system and set out rights and obligations in a transparent way". The Bill also makes provision, as part of these undertakings, for the introduction of a single application procedure for the investigation of all grounds for protection and any other grounds presented by applicants seeking to remain in the State. These are key reforms that should reduce the number of court proceedings that arise under the current, multi-layered regulatory framework and, by the same token, reduce the waiting time for a final decision. These are among the many aspects of the Bill that are under ongoing consideration at my Department, including in cooperation with the Offices of Parliamentary Counsel and of the Attorney General, and will modernise and streamline the current immigration regime.
As I have outlined previously to the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality and Defence, several hundred amendments to the Bill are anticipated, the majority of a technical nature. I also expressed the considered view that instead of engaging in an extremely cumbersome process of tabling hundreds of amendments to the 2010 Bill, it would be much more efficient to publish a new and enhanced text. Such an approach can incorporate the many anticipated amendments while addressing key outstanding issues, several of which have been of concern to Members including those being raised by the Deputy on this occasion. This proposition was broadly welcomed by the Joint Committee and work on the Bill continues, therefore, on that basis while also taking account of any intervening matters of relevance such as decisions by the Courts. It remains my objective under this new approach, and mindful of our having to deal with the competing legislative demands of our EU/IMF/ECB Programme commitments, to be in a position to bring a revised Bill to Government for approval and publication later this year.
Pending the enactment and commencement of the new legislation and with a view to improving processing in the area of international protection, I am proposing to introduce new arrangements for the processing of subsidiary protection applications in light of recent judgments in the Superior Courts. My Department, in consultation with the Attorney General's Office, is developing a new legislative and administrative framework for the processing of current and future subsidiary protection applications. This work is being given high priority and applicants will be advised of the new arrangements as soon as possible.
In addition, and with a view to streamlining the management and processing by the Courts of applications for judicial review in the asylum and immigration areas, I propose to bring forward proposals to amend the statutory provisions relating to judicial review which are set out in the Illegal Immigrants (Trafficking) Act 2000.
