Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 511: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will clarify the position in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29503/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) advises me that while the person in question was refused refugee status following appeal, he has recently, as an exceptional measure, been granted temporary permission to remain in the State until 29 May 2011. He is now required to register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau. One of the requirements for registration is the production of a valid passport, however, the validity of his most recent passport has now expired.

As the person in question is a national of the Democratic Republic of Congo it is advisable for him to seek consular assistance from his own national authorities in relation to the procurement of a passport or temporary travel document to facilitate travel in order to obtain same. In exceptional cases an application for Irish temporary travel document may be considered. In all such cases, INIS must be satisfied that there is no alternative open to the applicant before an Irish temporary travel document will issue.

An application for an Irish temporary travel document will only be considered by the Travel Document Unit in INIS on receipt of a fully completed application form. Supporting documentation accompanying any such application should include original correspondence from the relevant consular authorities outlining the steps necessary to be followed by the person in question to facilitate the renewal of his DRC passport which has been allowed to expire. I am informed by the Immigration Services Section of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service that no application for a temporary travel document has been received to date from the person in question by the Travel Document Unit.