No timeframe for when pause on Syrian asylum applications will be lifted

Justice Minister says less than 400 people are affected

Ireland is one of a number of European countries to have suspended the processing of applications. Picture: Hassan Ammar/AP Photo

The pause on decisions on asylum applications from Syrians is not long-term but the justice minister cannot give a timeframe for when it could be lifted.

The call to pause the decision element of the international protection process for those from Syria was made following the fall of the Assad regime in recent days.