Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 259: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Dublin, the applicant withdrew their application to the Belgium authorities when it was learned that the applicant's sister was a nurse working here and that the applicant's best interest could only be served where a family member was available and particularly when such a person had a medical competence appropriate to caring for a person with serious medical issues; if, in view of same he will allow the investigation of application for refugee status to take place here while in the care of their family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12480/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I refer the Deputy to my replies to the numerous parliamentary questions from him on this specific case — Parliament Question No. 149 of 26 January 2006, Parliamentary Question No. 181 of 9 February 2006, Parliamentary Question No. 249 of 16 February 2006 and Parliamentary Question No. 215 of 2 March 2006, a reply given to an Adjournment Debate on 23 February 2006 and Parliamentary Questions Nos. 192 of 9 March 2006 and 659 of 21 March 2006 on this case.

There is little more that I can add to what I have stated in response to those parliamentary questions. The allowing of the entry of persons, who otherwise would have no right of entry, to EU states in order to claim protection is in accordance with international protection obligations imposed on all EU states. I need not repeat that the Dublin II Regulations and its predecessor, the Dublin Convention, were created to prevent the phenomenon of asylum shopping and asylum seekers in orbit which had existed in the EU prior to their creation.

The person who is the subject of this question is being treated, and will be treated, in accordance with those solemn obligations. The person concerned arrived in the State claiming asylum and was found to have claimed asylum previously in Belgium. The sole basis of the person's current status in Ireland is that she came here as an asylum seeker. In accordance with the Dublin II Regulations and to uphold the integrity of the asylum and immigration processes in this State, it is entirely appropriate that the person concerned should be returned to the first EU state where she claimed asylum, namely, Belgium. It should be noted also that the Belgian authorities have agreed to take back the person concerned.