Dan Boyle
Ceist:379 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reasons a person (details supplied) has not been approved for asylum seeker status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2795/03]
Written Answers. - Asylum Applications.
It would be inappropriate for me to comment on individual applications for asylum. Under the Refugee Act 1996 two independent statutory offices were established to consider applications for refugee status and make recommendations to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on whether such status should be granted. These two offices are the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner, ORAC, which considers applications for a declaration as a refugee at first instance and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal which considers applications for a declaration at appeal stage. Consideration of all claims for asylum entails a detailed investigation by the ORAC of the basis on which refugee status is being claimed and there is also provision made for an interview and for making further representations after that interview. There is also an opportunity under the 1996 Act to appeal to the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Asylum applicants have access to legal advice for the purpose of pursuing their applications. Where the Refugee Applications Commissioner or the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, following detailed investigation of a claim for asylum, determine that refugee status should not be granted, the applicant concerned is provided with reasons for the determination.
Dan Boyle
Ceist:380 Mr. Boyle asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reasons a person (details supplied) has not been approved for asylum seeker status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2796/03]
The person concerned entered this State on 13 December 2001 and applied for asylum the following day. On 22 March 2002 he was interviewed by an officer of the Refugee Applications Commissioner. He was refused refugee status and notified of this on 16 July 2002. He appealed this decision. His appeal was heard on 11 September 2002 by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. On 29 November 2002, he was informed that the Refugee Appeals Tribunal had dismissed his appeal. Subsequently, in accordance with section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, he was informed by letter dated 22 January 2003 that it was proposed to make a deportation order in his case. He was given the options, to be exercised within fifteen working days, of making representations to the Minister setting out why he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State; leaving the State before an order is made; or consenting to the making of a deportation order. A response is still awaited to this correspondence. Following the expiration of this 15 day deadline, the file in this case will be submitted to me for a decision.
Question No. 381 answered with Question No. 376.