Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 November 2019
104. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the relevant documentation sought in the case of a person (details supplied) has been received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45945/19]
View answerI am informed that the passport from the person concerned was received and acknowledged on 1st November 2019. The person concerned was also informed in this acknowledgement letter that as they are in possession of a Travel Document, their passport will be retained securely on their file. A person may not be in possession of both a Travel Document and a National Passport at the same time.
Refugees, by nature of their status, do not have the protection of their country of origin and therefore cannot avail of a national passport for travel purposes. Refugees are entitled to a travel document from the Immigration Service for the purpose of travel and therefore do not require a passport for travel. Use by a refugee of a national passport can be regarded as re-availing of the protection of the country of origin and may provide grounds for the revocation of status. In contrast, persons with subsidiary protection status may hold a national passport and are entitled to a travel document only if they do not have or cannot obtain a passport. Passports are required to be surrendered to the International Protection Office by all applicants for international protection at the point of application.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to 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 is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
