asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will give details relating to the number of refugees admitted into Ireland from the Tamil minority in Sri Lanka and the Government's policy on the admission of refugees into Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The Government examine carefully all applications for the admission to Ireland of refugees, taking into account, among other things, the political situation in the country of origin of the refugee, the possibility of persecution should he or she return to that country and the views of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. In addition to individual applications the Government have admitted groups of refugees such as those from Hungary in 1956, Chile in 1974 and Vietnam in 1979-81. Most recently the Government decided to admit 26 members of the Baha'i faith who arrived in Ireland on 3 December.

In addition I can tell the Deputy that the Government have decided to establish a permanent structure to provide for the admission, reception and resettlement of refugees so as to assist them to become progressively integrated into Irish society.

Since the application of the law concerning aliens is essentially the responsibility of the Department of Justice the question of the number of Tamils admitted is a matter for the Minister for Justice.

My question relates to policy on refugees. How does the Government define "refugees"? I refer specifically to Libya; there are Libyan nationals resident in Ireland and would there be grounds for classing them as refugees, considering the regime in their home country?

The policy on refugees is a matter for the Minister for Justice. My Department inform that Department on political problems in the countries the refugees come from. I am not trying to avoid the question and I will send any information I have to the Deputy, if he wishes.

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