The person concerned holds the status of refugee in the State. He claimed asylum on 5/12/1996. His claim was examined by the then Asylum Division which recommended that he should be recognised as a refugee. He was informed he had been granted refugee status and of the rights and entitlements accompanying refugee status in the State. He was advised at the time to obtain his green alien's book from the Aliens Office at Harcourt Square, or his local Garda Station. He also would have been advised by his local Immigration Officer to renew his registration in a timely fashion.