Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 166: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform if there has been a change in policy towards the Pakistani Ahmadiyya community with regard to applications for asylum; if this policy will be reviewed in view of the persecution and massacre of followers this year in Lahore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45813/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The principal legislative provisions applicable to the processing of applications for asylum in Ireland are set out in the Refugee Act 1996 and the European Communities (Eligibility for Protection) Regulations 2006.

The definition of a refugee is set out in Section 2 of the Act and is based on a well-founded fear of persecution in the country of origin for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion. In particular, the Regulations provide that applications are decided taking into account all relevant facts as they relate to the country of origin at the time the decision is taken.

These legislative provisions are applicable to all applications for asylum in Ireland, including applications made by members of the community referred to by the Deputy.