Establishment of Refugee Eligibility Committee

(1) There shall be established a committee, to be known as “the Refugee Eligibility Committee”, which shall consist of nine persons appointed by the Minister and shall include– (a) subject to the provisions of sub-section (3), the Director of Refugees, who shall be the Chairperson of the Committee; (b) the Legal Protection Officer, Refugees Office; (c) a representative of the Ministry for the time being responsible for immigration; (d) the Senior Social Worker, Refugees Office; (e) a representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; (f) a representative of the Commissioner of Police; (g) a member of the clergy; (h) a member of the Trade Union Congress; and 9 (i) a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. (2) For the purpose of discharging its functions under this Act, the Committee may, if it considers necessary, co-opt other social workers or persons who may be of assistance to the Provided that any social worker or other person co-opted under this sub-section shall have no voting rights. (3) Whenever the Director of Refugees is for any reason unable to perform the functions of Chairperson of the Committee, such functions shall be performed by the Legal Protection Officer, Refugees Office. (4) The decisions of the Committee shall be by a majority of votes and, in the event of equality of votes, the Chairperson shall have a casting vote in addition to his original vote. (5) At any meeting of the Committee, four of its members shall form a quorum. (6) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the Committee may regulate its own procedure.