The refugee in question made an application for family reunification in June 2004. The application was forwarded to the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner for investigation as required under section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996.
The commissioner submitted a report on the investigation to my Department in January 2005. In the course of processing the application questions arose in relation to the validity of the type of marriage involved and also to the authenticity of certain documents submitted. These issues are being investigated. When the investigation has been completed a decision on the application will be taken at that stage.
The timeframe for processing such applications depends on the timeliness of the applicant's responses to requests for documentation and information from the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner. Where documents submitted require authentication, this may cause additional delays.