Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 27 May 1998

Vol. 491 No. 4

Written Answers. - Asylum Seekers.

Joe Higgins

Ceist:

113 Mr. Higgins (Dublin West) asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if an asylum seeker who reports an attack on his or her person to the authorities and, in so doing, identified himself or herself as an asylum seeker, will be in violation of the regulations regarding the behaviour of asylum seekers in view of reports of racially motivated attacks; and if a victim will be deemed in violation of the regulations should they comment to the press regarding the violent attacks. [12512/98]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I have difficulty understanding what the Deputy is referring to. I can only assume that he may be referring to the provisions of section 19 of the Refugee Act, 1996, which provide for the protection of the identity of an applicant for refugee status. While the section has yet to be commenced, my Department and officials operate within the spirit of its intent.

An asylum seeker in the circumstances described by the Deputy would not be in breach of the current procedures for processing asylum claims nor in breach of the terms and spirit of the Refugee Act, 1996, in reporting such incidents to the authorities. In fact, it would be very important for the asylum seeker, just as it would for anybody else, to report such incidents to the authorities.

If the Deputy has a specific situation or case in mind which is a source of concern, I would be glad if he could write to me about it so that I can have it examined.