I propose to take Questions Nos. 498, 584 and 585 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, An Taoiseach told the House on 2 July of the situation that would apply should any claim for asylum be lodged here in respect of the individual in question. The situation as outlined by An Taoiseach at that time has not changed. No further contact has been made by or on behalf of the individual in question and no valid asylum application has been received which can be processed in accordance with the statutory provisions in this Jurisdiction. The Deputy might wish to note that it is a generally accepted principle internationally, and one which Ireland applies, that a person should seek asylum in the first safe host country in which they arrive. It would appear that the individual referred to by the Deputy is already present in a safe host country and I note from media reports that he appears to have now applied for asylum there. In consequence of all the above, the other asylum issues referred to by the Deputy would not appear to arise.
The processing of asylum applications and appeals in Ireland takes place within a well defined national and international (Geneva Convention, EU Directives and Regulations) legal framework. The granting of refugee status in Ireland is considered in accordance with the definition contained in the 1951 UN Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, as amended by the 1967 New York Protocol thereto, and as defined in Section 2 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended). Accordingly, Ireland remains steadfast in it commitments to its international obligations in this regard. While decisions on extradition are ultimately a matter for the courts, I have made it clear publicly that the Irish and US authorities have remained in close contact in relation to the possible extradition of the person in question and, for its part, the Government will take any action open to it to ensure that the State's obligations in relation to extradition arrangements are met. It would not be a matter for me as Minister to comment on any case a person might make to the courts in relation to an extradition application. It may be helpful to add, however, in the context of a person seeking asylum here, that the Refugee Act, 1996 makes it clear that nothing in it shall be construed as preventing the extradition of a person in accordance with the provisions of the Extradition Acts.
