Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 11 Feb 2003

Vol. 561 No. 1

Written Answers. - Asylum Applications.

John McGuinness

Ceist:

476 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of an application for asylum by a person (details supplied); if the person's appeal on humanitarian grounds can be heard as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3639/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell):

The person concerned arrived in the State on 26 September 2001 and applied for asylum on the same day. He was interviewed in relation to his claim for refugee status on 4 February 2002 by an officer of the Refugee Applications Commission. His claim was subsequently refused on 16 April 2002. The person concerned appealed this decision on 30 April 2002. His appeal was heard by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal on 21 October 2002 but rejected on 18 November 2002.

Subsequently, in accordance with section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999 he was informed by letter dated 9 January that it was proposed to make a deportation order in his case. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days: of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State; leaving the State before an order is made; or consenting to the making of a deportation order. I expect the case file in this matter to be submitted to me for a decision shortly.