Lucinda Creighton (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 805: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for humanitarian leave to remain in the country; the reason for the delay in answering the person's application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26958/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The person concerned arrived in the State on 11 August 2004 and applied for asylum on 29 September 2004. His application was refused following consideration of his case by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and, on appeal, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.

Subsequently, in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned was informed, by letter dated 28 October 2005, that the Minister proposed to make a deportation order in respect of him. He was given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a deportation order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why he should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State. Representations have been submitted on behalf of the person concerned and will be fully considered, under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement, before the file is passed to me for decision.

The application submitted by the person concerned for leave to remain in the State is one of a sizeable number of such applications currently on hands. As the Deputy will appreciate, the consideration of such applications is resource intensive and the case will be processed as soon as possible.