3.—(1) Subject to section 17(2), a refugee in relation to whom a declaration is in force shall be entitled to the same rights and privileges as those conferred by law on persons generally who are not Irish citizens (as distinct from such rights or privileges conferred on any particular person or group of such persons).

(2) (a) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), a refugee in relation to whom a declaration is in force—

(i) shall be entitled to seek and enter employment, to carry on any business, trade or profession and to have access to education and training in the State in the like manner and to the like extent in all respects as an Irish citizen,

(ii) shall be entitled to receive, upon and subject to the terms and conditions applicable to Irish citizens, the same medical care and services and the same social welfare benefits as those to which Irish citizens are entitled,

(iii) shall be entitled, subject to section 4(2)—

(I) to reside in the State, and

(II) to the same rights of travel in or to or from the State as those to which Irish citizens are entitled,

(iv) shall have the same freedom to practise his or her religion and the same freedom as regards the religious education of his or her child as an Irish citizen,

(v) shall have access to the courts in the like manner and to the like extent in all respects as an Irish citizen, and

(vi) shall have the right to form and be a member of associations and trade unions in the like manner and to the like extent in all respects as an Irish citizen.

(b) In paragraph (a) “social welfare benefits” includes any payment or services provided for in or under the Social Welfare Acts, the Health Acts, 1947 to 1994, and the Housing Acts, 1966 to 1992.

(c) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) or section 3 of the Aliens Act, 1935, and notwithstanding anything contained in section 45 of the Land Act, 1965, section 16 of the Mercantile Marine Act, 1955, or an order under the Air Navigation and Transport Act, 1946, a refugee in relation to whom a declaration is in force shall be entitled to acquire, hold, dispose or otherwise deal with real or personal property or an interest in such property in the like manner, to the like extent and subject to the like obligations and limitations as an Irish citizen.