Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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Question 28: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will review the State's asylum system in view of the criticism from the United Nations Committee Against Torture. [13447/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The United Nations Committee Against Torture (UNCAT) issued its concluding observations on 6 June following Ireland's first examination in Geneva last month under Article 19 of the UN Convention against Torture. In its concluding observations relating to refugees and international protection, the Committee made comments/recommendations in relation to a number of matters including provisions contained in the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2010 which is currently before this House, the lodging of appeals under the Dublin II Regulation to the Refugee Appeals Tribunal and Ireland's recognition rate in respect of persons granted refugee status.

As I indicated following the publication of the Committee's observations, I will, in conjunction with my Cabinet colleagues, closely examine those observations and recommendations and the Government will, in due course, communicate with the Committee about the points raised.

With regard to the question of reviewing the State's asylum system, the Deputy is probably aware that the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2010 which I recently decided to restore to the Dail order paper contains extensive provisions in the area of protection. The Bill comprehensively reforms and simplifies the current refugee status determination process by providing for the introduction of a single application procedure for the investigation of all grounds for protection presented by applicants.

I believe that the asylum system currently in place is both fair and robust and that it will be further enhanced by the provisions of the 2010 Bill. I am currently developing a number of amendments to the Bill before commencing Committee Stage which I hope to be in a position to do in the near future.