Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 September 2004
202 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when applications for asylum will be determined in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath who has been living here since 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23100/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, under the Refugee Act 1996, two independent statutory offices were established to consider applications-appeals for refugee status and to make recommendations to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform 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 final decision will be made in this case upon receipt of the recommendation of the Refugee Applications Commissioner.
