Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 September 2021
347. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the plans that are in place to assist asylum seekers to exit from Afghanistan, either directly or through a third country; if there will be an agreement of safe passage with the current Afghan government; and the documentation that needs to be provided. [43226/21]
View answerLast month I announced, together with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and the Minister of State for Law Reform, Youth Justice and Immigration, that places would be allocated to Afghan nationals under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP). The IRPP was created in 2015 as part of Ireland’s response to the migration crisis in central and southern Europe. It allows a predetermined number of vulnerable people in need of international protection to be granted refugee status in Ireland.
Places on the programme have been allocated to approximately 330 Afghans nationals, over 70 of whom have travelled to Ireland. Priority was given to those working on human rights issues, including the rights of women and girls, and minorities, as well as those working with NGOs and European and international organisations. The operation of this programme is being led by the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. The Department of Foreign Affairs is, through our diplomatic network, liaising with relevant authorities in the region and countries in Europe in relation to transit routes. The Department of Justice is providing practical support by way of issuing humanitarian visas to facilitate travel to Ireland. That Department is also focused on processing applications for Afghan family members of Irish citizens and Afghan nationals living in Ireland.
The Department of Justice is currently reviewing all international protection applications on hand from Afghan nationals with a view to expediting their progress, in line with updated advice provided by UNHCR in recent weeks. These applications are already prioritised, as agreed with UNHCR. The processing of these applications takes full account of whether a person will be in danger if not provided with a permission to remain here.
In addition, I am aware that Minister Humphreys and Minister Browne have directed officials in their Department to examine, as a matter of urgency, proposals for a humanitarian admission programme whereby persons resident in Ireland could apply for family members in Afghanistan to be granted admission to Ireland. The introduction of any new scheme, which would be along similar lines to previous ones, would require a Government decision and I understand that they intend to bring proposals to Government in relation to this matter in the near future.
Ireland remains fully engaged with the situation in Afghanistan at both EU and UN level. As a Member of the Security Council we are working to address a range of issues, including focusing on the fulfilment of the Taliban commitment to allow the safe, secure, orderly and unhindered departure of foreign nationals and Afghans at-risk who wish to leave the country in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2593 (2021).
