The persons concerned arrived in the State separately on 27 April 2000 and 8 August 2000 and applied for asylum. Their applications were refused following consideration of their case files by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.
Subsequently, in accordance with section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, they were informed by letters dated 31 October 2002 that the Minister proposed to make deportation orders in respect of them. They were given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons they should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State, leaving the State before orders are made or consenting to the making of deportation orders.
Their case files, including all representations submitted, will be considered under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, and section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996, prohibition of refoulement. I expect the files to be passed to me for decision in due course.