Vol. 534 No. 3
266 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when a decision will be made on the application by a person (details supplied) for refugee status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10545/01]
The Refugee Act, 1996, as amended by the Immigration Act, 1999 and the Illegal Immigrants Trafficking Act, 2000, was commenced in full on 20 November 2000. Under the Act two independent statutory offices were established to consider applications-appeals for refugee status and to make recommendations to the Minister on whether such status should be granted.
These two offices are the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner, which considers applications for a declaration as a refugee at first instance and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal which considers applications for a declaration at appeal stage.
A decision on the application in question will be made upon receipt of the recommendation of the Refugee Applications Commissioner or the Refugee Appeals Tribunal as appropriate.
267 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the application by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry for refugee status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10546/01]
I refer the Deputy to my answer to Parliamentary Question No. 359 of 20 February 2001 and the position in regard to this case has not changed since that date.
