Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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197. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if consideration has been given to designating South Africa and Brazil as safe countries under section 72 of the International Protection Act 2015, on the basis that the legal situation in both countries, the application of the law within what are two democratic systems and the general political circumstances show that in both countries there is generally and consistently no persecution, torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and no threat by reason of indiscriminate violence in situations of international or internal armed conflict. [25358/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, under section 72 of the International Protection Act 2015 the Minister may make an order designating a country as a safe country of origin. In deciding to make such an order, the Minister must be satisfied that, on the basis of the legal situation, the application of the law within a democratic system and the general political circumstances, it can be shown that there is generally and consistently no persecution, no torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and no threat by reason of indiscriminate violence in situations of international or internal armed conflict.

The following countries (which includes South Africa) were designated as safe countries of origin with effect from 16 April 2018 under the International Protection Act 2015 (Safe Countries of Origin) Order 2018:

• Albania;
• Bosnia and Herzegovina;
• Georgia;
• Kosovo;
• Macedonia (Former Yugoslav Republic of);
• Montenegro;
• Serbia; and
• South Africa.