Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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16. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he is aware of concerns expressed by advocates and human rights campaigners about the dangers of “fast tracking” asylum applications from supposedly “safe countries”, and that such procedures can lead to applicants being denied proper legal advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7655/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Seeking international protection is a human right and it is important to note at the outset that all International Protection applications are examined fully and individually on their merits, including those from countries which are designated as safe countries of origin. My Department's objective is to ensure that applications are dealt with fairly and efficiently within the framework of Ireland's international obligations.

An applicant from a safe country of origin is afforded the opportunity to submit grounds, in writing and/or at interview, as to why their country is not safe for them and those grounds are given due consideration. Furthermore, all applicants have the right to appeal a negative recommendation by the International Protection Office to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal.

On November 8 2022, the International Protection Office (IPO) of my Department introduced accelerated procedures for international protection applicants from safe countries of origin. These arrangements are designed to support our fair and efficient rules based system.

As part of this new procedure, to assist our customers in completing their application, the International Protection Office provided additional supports to applicants in the form of independent cultural mediators who are available to assist applicants in completing application forms and provide support and information in respect of the protection system in Ireland.

The role of the cultural mediator is to independently assist and support the applicant in the process, and is complementary to the provision of formal legal advice. In this regard, applicants are encouraged to seek legal assistance at any stage of their application, be that at initial application stage, their substantive interview or later in the process. Applicants are also provided with the necessary interpretation supports at each stage of the process.

Legal advice and representation, where required, for people in the international protection process in Ireland is provided by the independent Legal Aid Board.

Since the new accelerated procedure began, over 600 Interviews have been scheduled for applicants coming from a Safe Countries of Origin and 400 Interviews have taken place. The first instance decisions on these 400 cases under the new accelerated procedure have begun to issue.