Policy & Campaigns
Asylum
Photo by Derek Speirs, shows Judge Catherine McGuinness, Judge Donal Barrington and Brian Barrington BL author of the report The Single Protection Procedure A Chance for Change
The IRC is committed to promoting a fair and transparent protection system for those who come and seek protection in Ireland.
An asylum seeker is a person who has left their country of origin, has applied for international protection in another country and is awaiting a decision on their application.
In order to be recognised as a refugee, you must have left your country and be unable to go back because you have a well-founded fear of persecution because of your race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion.
The IRC identified the following key issues of concern with the current asylum procedure;
- Lack of transparency, including non-publication of decisions or guidelines.
- Quality of decision-making.
- Understanding of protection concerns.
- Discretionary nature of assessment of humanitarian leave to remain and other protection concerns.
- Quality of interpreting and translation services.
- Revocation of refugee status.
- Problems associated with the Dublin regulation.
For information and advice on the asylum process you may also wish to contact the Refugee Information Service
For more information on European developments, you may visit the website of the European Council on Refugees and Exiles (ECRE).
See also the website of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
For our Advice section, click here