Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 489: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he will make a decision regarding the status of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20434/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The person referred to by the Deputy arrived in Ireland on 20 May 1999 and claimed asylum. His case was examined by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner who recommended to me in February 2001 that he be granted refugee status. The applicant was subsequently convicted of people trafficking in the Dublin District Court in April 2001 for which he received a four months prison sentence. This offence is incompatible with the principles of the 1951 Convention on the Rights of Refugees, under which the applicant sought protection. The seriousness and legal complexities of the case, required extensive consultations with the Attorney General's Office, and delayed making a decision.

The case is currently being processed and my Department will be writing shortly to the applicant conveying a decision.