Working Group on the International Protection Process

Introduction
Terms of Reference
Committee Members
Meeting documents

Introduction

This working group was set up to report to Government on improvements to the International Protection Process, including Direct Provision and supports to asylum seekers.

The establishment of the Working Group arises from the Statement of Government Priorities 2014-2016 and follows on from a round-table consultation on the protection process with non-governmental organisations.

Terms of Reference

During their research the Working Group has taken the following points into consideration:

the rights of refugees under the 1951 Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees
the Government’s commitment to to speed up the application process by creating legislation for a single application for refugees

The Working Group is also committed to recommending improvements to the Government about the existing Direct Provision and protection process. Recommendations will also be made about various supports provided for protection applicants.

The Working Groups' recommendations will clearly outline to the Government what actions can be taken in the short and long term to:

improve the existing application process for protection applications
show greater respect for the dignity of persons in the system
improve their applicants quality of life by improving current support and services

The Working Group will also work to:

ensure taxpayers contributions to overall costs of the protection system are reduced or remain close to current rates
ensure existing border controls and immigration procedures are not compromised

Committee Members

Members

Members' Name	Organisation	Title
Dr. Bryan McMahon	Formerly of the High Court	Chairperson
Dr. Ciara Smyth	Lecturer in Law
Dan Murphy	Former General Secretary of PSEU and ex-President ICTU
Eugene Quinn	Director, Jesuit Refugee Service Ireland
Fiona Finn	CEO, NASC – Irish Immigrant Support Centre
Greg Straton	Director, SPIRASI
Stephen Ng’ang’a**	IRC Core Group of Asylum Seekers and Refugees
Sophie Magennis	Head of Office, UNHCR
Tanya Ward	CEO, Children’s Rights Alliance
Tim Dalton	Retired Secretary General of the Department of Justice

Representatives of Government Departments /Offices

Members' Name	Organisation
Michele Clarke	Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Brian Power	Department of Education and Skills
Caitriona O’Brien	Department of Education and Skills
Aidan O’Connor	Department of Environment, Community and Local Government
Michael Kelly	Department of Justice
Noel Dowling	Department of Justice
Ronan Gallagher	Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
Jackie Harrington	Department of Social Protection
Mary O’Sullivan	Department of Social Protection
Patrick Lynch	Health Service Executive
David Costello	Commissioner Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner
Caroline Daly	Office of the Attorney General
Barry Magee, Chairman	Refugee Appeals Tribunal
Madeleine Halpin	Tusla

* Sue Conlan, CEO of the Irish Refugee Council tendered her resignation from the Working Group as of 26th March 2015.
** Stephen Ng’ang’a replaced Reuben Hambakachere as of 21st April 2015.

Meeting documents

Summary of Progress - Working Group on the International Protection Process

Work Programme

Report to Government on Improvements to the Protection Process, including Direct Provision and Supports to Asylum Seekers

Executive Summary of the Report to Government on Improvements to the Protection Process, including Direct Provision and Supports to Asylum Seekers

Plenary Minutes of the Working Group

Submissions from Members

Submissions from Interested Parties

First Audit of Progress on Improvements to the Protection Process (June 2016)

Second Audit of Progress on Improvements to the Protection Process (February 2017)

Third and Final Progress Report on Improvements to the Protection Process (July 2017)