Vol. 399 No. 12
61 Mr. Carey and Mr. Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice if he is considering a proposal that persons fleeing human rights violations who seek protection in this State, may have their claim adjudicated upon and decided by a body other than the Government of this State; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
66 Mr. Flanagan and Mr. Carey asked the Minister for Justice if it is envisaged that this country will at some future date participate in an intergovernmental process of exchanging and sharing information on persons seeking asylum; if he will outline the safeguards to be provided to ensure (1) the accuracy of such information and (2) that such information cannot be relayed to the authorities in the country of origin where family or friends of the person seeking asylum might be placed at risk.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 61 and 66 together.
A draft convention to determine the EC state responsible for the examination of an application for asylum is currently under discussion by the European Community. The draft convention contains objective criteria for determining the state responsible for examining an application. Depending on circumstances this may or may not be the state in which an application for asylum is made.
The draft convention contains proposals for exchanges of information in individual cases. The draft proposes that such exchanges should take place only on request and only between competent authorities specifically appointed for that purpose by the member states. Information transmitted would be for the exclusive use of such authorities and related solely to the proper processing of the application.
The draft proposals also provide for arrangements designed to ensure the accuracy of transmitted information and to protect the privacy and safety of the individual concerned and of any family connections that might be affected.
