John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 607: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the strong friendship and connection between the United States of America and Ireland, he will demonstrate Ireland's commitment to peace and to its policy of neutrality by offering safe refuge to US service members seeking asylum as a means to avoid participating in the illegal occupation of Iraq; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25067/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am not aware of any applications for refugee status having been made by members of the US armed services. In the circumstances outlined by the Deputy, such individuals would not appear to meet the definition of refugees fleeing persecution as contained in the 1951 Refugee Convention, and so would not qualify for refugee status under Irish law. Each individual case would, of course, have to be dealt with on its merits.