Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin
Ceist:1147 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Law Reform the cost of establishing and operating, over a five-year period, an independent immigration appeals tribunal. [33273/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 29 September 2010
Ceisteanna (1060)
Freagraí scríofa
I can inform the Deputy that there are no current proposals to establish an independent immigration appeals tribunal. The information sought by the Deputy is therefore not readily available. Proposals for the introduction of measures to ensure a visibly independent appeals process in immigration matters have previously been outlined to the House. In summary, I propose to provide, on a statutory basis, for the introduction of formal review processes in respect of decisions that arise at various stages of the immigration process. Comprehensive statutory proposals in this regard are now contained in the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2010. It is also my intention to appoint, on an administrative basis at first, a person to act as chief review officer with the function of ensuring that there is consistency and a high quality of decision-making among those who deal under the Bill with visa reviews.
These proposals lay the foundation for the fulfilment, during the lifetime of this Government, of the commitment in the Agreed Programme for Government to ensure a visibly independent appeals process in immigration matters. In the longer term, the model that I have in mind is that of the social welfare appeals system which is operated by staff of the Minister for Social Protection but in a manner that affords people dealing with the system a second look at the merits of their case independent of the original decision maker.