Paul Murphy
Question:827. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if Ireland will designate Russia as an unsafe country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36021/23]
View answerTuesday, 25 July 2023
Questions (827)
Written answers
Ireland is party to the 1951 UN Convention on the Status of Refugees. The Convention defines the term ‘refugee’ and outlines the rights of refugees, as well as the legal obligations of States to protect them.
Every person has the right to apply for asylum under the 1951 Convention. The Convention does not exclude a person from exercising the right to seek asylum based on their nationality.
All applications for international protection, regardless of an applicant’s country of origin, are assessed on the basis of their individual merits, facts and circumstances. The circumstances of each case is assessed having regard to both the subjective elements (the applicant’s own account or personal history) and objective elements (up-to-date, and reputable, information on the conditions prevailing in the applicant’s country or place of origin) at the material time. Supporting documentation submitted by applicants is also taken into account.
All decisions on international protection applications are made in accordance with relevant legislation and Ireland follows the guidance of the UNHCR and the European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) in relation to claims for international protection.
Under section 72 of the International Protection Act 2015 the Minister may make an order designating a country as a safe country of origin. Russia is not designated as a safe country under the Act. The Act does not provide for the concept of an ‘unsafe country’.