Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 May 1995

Vol. 453 No. 6

Written Answers. - Asylum Seekers.

Eamon Walsh

Ceist:

97 Mr. E. Walsh asked the Minister for Justice her views on the increase in the number of asylum seekers in 1994; their country of origin; their point of entry into Ireland; the reasons for the increase; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9711/95]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

The increase in the number of asylum applications in 1994 is primarily due to the large number of asylum seekers from Cuba.

Aside from the Cuban situation which is well documented. I do not believe that it would be proper to disclose information on the nationalities of the applicants having regard to the general and understandable desire on the part of individual applicants to ensure that an application for recognition as a refugee is processed in confidence. As the number of applicants of some nationalities is small, it would be relatively easy in some instances to identify particular individuals if nationality statistics were provided. Such identification could have serious implications, particularly if members of an applicant's family are still in the country of origin.

The majority of applicants entered the State through Shannon and Dublin airports; others arrived through Dublin Port, Dún Laoghaire and Rosslare. The total number of asylum seekers in 1994 was 355.