Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 466: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for family reunification for a person (details supplied); the apparent delay in this application and the fact that they have received no further correspondence from his Department since June 2005; and when this person's case will be finalised and processed. [4318/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The refugee in question made an application for family reunification under section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996 in August 2004. The commissioner submitted a report on the investigation to my Department in June 2005. The timeframe for processing such applications depends on the timeliness of the applicant's responses to requests for documentation and information from the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner. The refugee in question has recently been informed that the applications for family reunification have been approved.

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 467: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for family reunification for a person (details supplied); the apparent delay in this application; the average length of time it takes for such applications to be processed; and when this person's case will be finalised and processed. [4319/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The refugee in question made an application for family reunification in June 2004. The application was forwarded to the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner for investigation as required under section 18 of the Refugee Act 1996.

The commissioner submitted a report on the investigation to my Department in January 2005. In the course of processing the application questions arose in relation to the validity of the type of marriage involved and also to the authenticity of certain documents submitted. These issues are being investigated. When the investigation has been completed a decision on the application will be taken at that stage.

The timeframe for processing such applications depends on the timeliness of the applicant's responses to requests for documentation and information from the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner. Where documents submitted require authentication, this may cause additional delays.