Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:482 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when refugee status will be granted to persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16785/01]
Written Answers. - Refugee Status.
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.
Questions Nos. 483 and 484 answered with Question No. 462.