Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 2 Feb 2000

Vol. 513 No. 4

Written Answers. - Asylum Issues.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

80 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress, if any, made on the recommendations by the interdepartmental committee on immigration, asylum and related issues in February 1998; the recommendation in relation to abuses of Irish citizenship law; the progress of the review of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Acts, 1956 to 1994; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2415/00]

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

The recommendations contained in the report of the interdepartmental committee on immigration, asylum and related issues of February 1998 were accepted by Government and I am pleased to report that significant progress has been made in relation to the implementation of these recommendations, including the allocation of adequate resources to deal quickly with new applications so as to bring about a speedy and effective system for dealing with new applications while cutting the backlog and the conclusion of readmission agreements with appropriate countries – a re-admission agreement with Romania is at an advanced stage and the final draft is currently under consideration by the Romanian Interior Ministry. Negotiations on a re-admission agreement with Bulgaria are also under way. The possibility of a re-admission agreement with Poland is also being pursued.

The Refugee Law Comparative Study, commissioned by my Department has been completed and will be published shortly.

Ireland has become an actively participating member of the intergovernmental consultations on asylum, refugee and migration policies in Europe, North America and Australia. The Intergovernmental Conference is a consultative process which was established in the mid-1980s. It is basically a group of like-minded states who come together to discuss in an informal and frank manner issues of interest and concern in the asylum and migration areas.

Discussions in relation to Ireland's participation in the work of the International Organisation for Migration, IOM, are ongoing. The IOM assists in the orderly return of illegal immigrants – failed asylum applicants – to countries of origin.

The committee also recommended that all appropriate assistance should be given to facilitate the integration into Irish society and of persons recognised as refugees or given leave to remain in the State on humanitarian grounds. In November 1998 I established an interdepartmental working group to examine the best means of integrating recognised refugees into society others granted permission to remain in this coun try. The report of the interdepartmental working group was submitted to me in December 1999 and I will be bringing proposals to Government on the development of a comprehensive strategy to facilitate the integration of refugees in Ireland, based on the recommendations contained in that report. Further details of these proposals will issue following consideration by Government and the report of the working group will be published shortly.

With regard to the recommendation in relation to abuses of Irish citizenship law, the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 1999 which,inter alia, abolishes post nuptial citizenship is currently before the Seanad. The recommendation in regard to the deliberate arrangement of births to non-national parents here now needs further consideration bearing in mind the agreement reached in the multi-party negotiations on 10 April 1998 and the subsequent amendment of the Constitution, article 2 of which now creates an entitlement and birthright for every person born in the island of Ireland.

The Illegal Immigrants (Trafficking) Bill, 1999, which criminalises trafficking in illegal immigrants, is currently before the Dáil. The penalisation of persons who employ illegals is under consideration. In addition, I am preparing an immigration and residence Bill which will deal with other recommendations of the committee.