Rights and Responsibilities of asylum-seekers
If you are an applicant for international protection (i.e. asylum-seeker) your rights include the following:
- Permission to enter and remain in Ireland for the examination of your asylum application by the International Protection Office (IPO) and any appeal to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT)
- The right to obtain legal advice and representation from a lawyer
- The right to be treated with respect, dignity and fairness throughout the single procedure
- The right to provide written submissions to the Minister of Justice and Equality in relation to your protection application
- The use of an interpreter where necessary to ensure communication
- The right to confidentiality
- The right to be notified in writing of any interviews, decisions or other relevant notices in relation to your application for international protection
- The right to communicate with UNHCR
- The right to request permission to access the labour market if you have not received a first instance decision within 6 months of applying for international protection
Legal aid is available from the Legal Aid Board (LAB). They will provide you with one of their own solicitors or with a private solicitor that works with them. The LAB is committed to providing all clients with early legal advice on all aspects of their asylum application. This may include a preliminary information consultation before you complete your questionnaire and a pre-interview consultation in which legal advice on the particulars of your claim based on your completed questionnaire will be given. The Irish Refugee Council’s Independent Law Centre also provide early legal advice subject to capacity. If you have the funds you can also seek the services of a private solicitor.
Depending on the individual circumstances of your application, you may prefer an interpreter of a certain gender present during your interview or appeal hearing. It is important that you raise this as early as possible at the International Protection Office (IPO) and/or International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT) so they can accommodate this request where possible.
All information provided in relation to your application will be treated in confidence and will not be disclosed to the authorities in your country of origin/ country of habitual residence or to representatives of your country in Ireland.
What are my responsibilities?
Your responsibilities include:
- Duty to comply with the laws in Ireland
This means you have to respect the laws and regulations of Ireland
- Duty to cooperate
As an applicant in the single procedure you have an active duty to cooperate in the examination of your asylum application and in the determination of any appeal in relation to that application. You must also submit as soon as reasonably practicable all the information needed to substantiate your application and be truthful. Failure to cooperate may have consequences on the outcome of your asylum application
Procedural responsibilities
Part of the duty to cooperate includes the following obligations:
a. Not leaving or attempting to leave Ireland during the single procedure without the consent of the Minister of Justice and Equality;
b. Informing the Minister of Justice and Equality of your address and any change of address in writing as soon as possible;
c. Complying with reporting notices that you may receive such as a requirement to reside or remain in a specified location or place in Ireland and/or report at specified intervals to an immigration officer, at a specified Garda (police) station;
d. Indicating your name, address, nationality and person ID number on your temporary residence certificate in any correspondence with the International Protection Office (IPO) or the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT);
e. Being truthful in relation to your application for asylum and completing your questionnaire with relevant information to examine your application;
f. Retaining all copies of documentation given to you by or which you have given to the International Protection Office (IPO) and International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT);
g. Not seeking or entering into employment or engaging in any business, trade or profession without the relevant labour market permission.