Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 January 2015
17. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the impact the new proposed international protection bill, which will introduce a single application process for seeking asylum, will have on the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1404/15]
View answerThe principal objective of the proposed International Protection Bill will be the introduction of a single procedure for the examination of applications for international protection in Ireland. This arises from the commitment in the Statement of Government Priorities 2014-2016 to legislate to reduce the length of time an asylum applicant spends in the direct provision system through the establishment of a single applications procedure. In order to achieve the early implementation of a more streamlined procedure I am, therefore, proposing that the Government fast-track specific legislation in the asylum area. I am committed to ensuring that this legislation be brought forward as a matter of urgency and I intend to publish the General Scheme of the International Protection Bill, once approved by Government, in the next few weeks. This fast-tracked legislation will deal with the key issues of qualification for international protection, examination and assessment of applications for international protection, the rights and entitlements of persons determined to be eligible for international protection and effective remedy against refusal of international protection. The Bill will be in compliance with the United Nations Refugee Convention and related EU Directives.
My objective is to reform the current multi-layered and sequential system which remains very susceptible to judicial review and can result in applicants being accommodated in the State's system of direct provision for indeterminate periods of time. The introduction of the single procedure, together with other reforms in the proposed Bill, will enhance our capacity to efficiently grant international protection to those who are entitled to it. At the same time, it will identify, at a much earlier stage, persons who have no entitlement to stay in the State and who can safely return to their country of origin.
This approach does not lose sight of the other necessary elements of legislative reform in this area. Work on an Immigration and Residence Bill will also continue by reference to such further matters as the visa regime, entry into the State, residence, removal from the State while also dealing with specific challenges such as those of human trafficking and marriages of convenience. In this way any development of the respective Bills will give mutual support to the ongoing roll-out of reform of our immigration regime while also allowing the Government to be responsive to the present and very pressing need for a single procedure for the examination of applications for international protection in this jurisdiction.
