Asylum Applications

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 January 2014

Wednesday, 29 January 2014

Questions (137)

Kevin Humphreys

Question:

137. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will examine if the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service retained the original Iranian identification certificate in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 6, who submitted the document in 2006, while their other documents, including the official translation of the identification certificate, have been returned via their legal representatives, but they have not received the original identification certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4374/14]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the normal practice is to return all original documents submitted by persons during their asylum claim to the person concerned or their legal representative. I am advised that this practice was followed in the case referred to by the Deputy.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.