DUBLIN CONVENTION

The Dublin Convention, which came into force on 1 September 1997, provides a mechanism for determining which Dublin Convention country is responsible for examining an application for refugee status. All European Union (EU) member states have acceded to the Dublin Convention.
If, for example, you have lodged or had an asylum application examined in another Dublin Convention country, or you have entered Ireland through another Dublin Convention country or you have a valid residence permit or a valid visa for another Dublin Convention country, Ireland may request the Dublin Convention country in question to accept responsibility for your application for a declaration as a refugee and you may then be transferred back to that country.

When you make your application for a declaration as a refugee, a Notice in writing may be given to you advising you that your case may be examined under the Dublin Convention. It is open to you to make written representations, in this regard, to the Refugee Applications Commissioner within 5 working days of the issue of that Notice (that is, 5 days excluding Saturday, Sunday, and public holidays).

Consideration of your application under the Dublin Convention
In some cases, applicants may be required to participate in a separate interview relating specifically to the consideration of an application under the Dublin Convention. However, more usually, such information will be gathered during the course of the initial interview that takes place when someone is applying for refugee status.
If at any stage during the course of the investigation of your application and within 6 months from the date of your application, it appears that your application should be dealt with in another Dublin Convention country, your application may be dealt with in accordance with the Dublin Convention.
If another Dublin Convention country is found to be responsible for examining your application and that country agrees to accept responsibility for the transfer of your application, you will be informed in writing that it is proposed to remove you to that country for consideration of your application.

Dublin Convention appeal
You will have 5 working days from the date of the Refugee Applications Commissioner's decision to appeal to the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.
If you do not appeal against the Refugee Applications Commissioner's decision within the specified time limit
or you do appeal and the original decision of the Refugee Applications Commissioner is upheld by the Refugee Appeals Tribunal, the Minister for Justice will arrange for your transfer to that Dublin Convention country.
If your Dublin Convention appeal is successful
If the Refugee Appeals Tribunal overturns the decision of the Refugee Applications Commissioner, the Refugee Appeals Tribunal Commissioner will return your application to the Refugees Applications Commissioner for examination. You will receive a written notification advising you of this.

Withdrawal of a Dublin Convention appeal
Where another state has agreed to accept responsibility for your application for refugee status in accordance with the Dublin Convention and the Refugee Applications Commissioner has made a determination that you should be transferred to that state and you withdraw your Notice of Appeal, the Minister for Justice may arrange for your transfer to the relevant state.