The Government has announced the composition and terms of reference of a new working group established to examine and recommend improvements to the protection process, including the direct provision system and supports for asylum seekers. This follows commitments published in the Government Priorities 2014-2016 to establish such a group and to streamline the asylum application procedure. The group will be chaired by former High Court judge and presiding officer of citizenship ceremonies, Bryan McMahon, with the rest of the group consisting of representatives from NGOs, academia and government departments and offices.
Click here to view the published statement of priorities.
Click here to see the membership of the group.
According to a Department of Justice and Equality press statement, the working group terms of reference are anchored in the rights accorded to refugees under the 1951 Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and the Government’s commitment to legislate to reduce the waiting period for protection applicants, through the introduction of a streamlined application procedure. The group is tasked with identifying actions which can be taken in the short and longer term aimed at improving the current application processing system and at “showing greater respect for the dignity of persons in the system and improving their quality of life by enhancing the support and services currently available”. The group is expected to submit its first report to the Government by the end of the year.
However, the establishment of the working group has been met with a mixed response regarding its composition and role. Sue Conlan CEO of the Irish Refugee Council and member of the group lamented the minimal representation of current asylum seekers in the group, with the only representation being from a former asylum seeker. NASC CEO Fiona Finn expressed disappointment over the narrowness of the terms.
Click here to read an article on the Journal.ie outlining the above criticisms.