Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 311: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on granting refugee status or leave to remain to a person, details supplied. [14015/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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As the Deputy will be aware, applications for refugee status in the State are determined by an independent process comprising the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner, ORAC, and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, which make recommendations to the Minster for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on whether such status should be granted.

It is not the practice to comment on individual asylum applications. However, I understand that in the case raised by the Deputy, it has not been possible for the ORAC to make a decision on the asylum application as it has been unable to conduct an interview with the applicant to date due to the health problems of the applicant. It is hoped that the ORAC can progress this case shortly and a final decision will be made by me upon receipt of its recommendation.