Asylum Policy
The law governing the processing of applications for refugee status is set out in the Refugee Act, 1996, as amended and the orders and regulations made thereunder. The principal purpose of the 1996 Act is to give statutory effect to the State's obligations under the 1951 Geneva Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the related 1967 Protocol. A number of significant amendments to the Act were incorporated in the Immigration Act, 2003.
Through the Asylum Policy Division, the Department continues to have overall responsibility for the asylum area (including the achievement of the Government's asylum strategy, including developing policy initiatives, the policy aspects of legislation, and the achievement of processing targets). The Division also has responsibility for the State's input into the development of asylum policy at EU and international level.
Background Note on Irish Asylum Policy (PDF 36KB)
McDowell takes firm action to deal with influx of Romanian asylum seekers
Asylum and Nationals of Member States of the European Union: Information Note