International Protection Act 2026
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Chapter 4 Decisions on applications | ||
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Decision on applications for international protection and notification of decision | ||
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156. (1) A decision on an application for international protection (referred to in this Chapter as a “decision on an application”) shall be given by the Determining Authority in writing and shall be notified (by a notification referred to in this Act as a “section 156 notification”) to— | ||
(a) the applicant, and | ||
(b) where applicable, the legal representative representing him or her, | ||
as soon as possible in accordance with section 4 . | ||
(2) In the case of applications on behalf of minors or dependent adults and where the applications are all based on the exact same grounds as the application of the adult responsible for that minor or dependent adult, the Determining Authority may, subject to subsection (3), following an individual assessment for each applicant, take a single decision covering all applicants. | ||
(3) Where to take a single decision covering all applicants in accordance with subsection (2) would lead to the disclosure of particular circumstances of an applicant which could jeopardise his or her interests, in particular in cases involving gender-based violence, trafficking in human beings, and persecution based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or age, the Determining Authority shall issue and notify a separate decision in accordance with subsection (1) to the person concerned. | ||
(4) Where an application is rejected as inadmissible, as unfounded or as manifestly unfounded with regard to refugee status or subsidiary protection status, as explicitly withdrawn or as implicitly withdrawn, the reasons in fact and in law for the rejection shall be stated in the decision. | ||
(5) The section 156 notification shall— | ||
(a) be in writing, | ||
(b) inform the applicant of the result of the decision, and | ||
(c) where an application is rejected as inadmissible, as unfounded or as manifestly unfounded with regard to refugee status or subsidiary protection status or as implicitly withdrawn, inform the applicant of his or her entitlement to appeal to the Tribunal against the decision, and of the procedures specified in Part 8 in relation to such an appeal. | ||
(6) Where the applicant is not assisted by a legal representative, the information specified in paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsection (5) shall be provided in a language that the applicant understands or is reasonably supposed to understand. | ||
(7) Where the applicant is assisted by a legal representative— | ||
(a) the information referred to in subsection (5)(b) may be provided solely to that legal representative without being translated into a language which the applicant understands or is reasonably supposed to understand, and | ||
(b) the fact of whether or not international protection is granted shall be communicated, in writing, for information to the applicant in a language which he or she understands or is reasonably supposed to understand, together with general information on how to appeal the decision where applicable. | ||
(8) The Minister shall inform the High Commissioner of the result of every decision referred to in subsection (1). |