Opposition politicians have called for a review of the Government's deportation policy following the reprieve granted to Nigerian Leaving Cert student Olunkunle Eluhanla (19).
Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte welcomed the decision saying it was "an uncharacteristic, but nevertheless welcome U-turn on the part of Minister McDowell.
"I hope that if Minister McDowell now accepts that this decision was wrong that there have also been other less-publicised deportations that were also unjustified," he said.
"I hope that the Minister will now consider suspending the current programme of deportations to allow a review of the entire system to see if a more humane manner of dealing with those who find themselves - for whatever reason - in our country without the appropriate legal status."
The Green Party also welcomed the decision but called for Mr Eluhanla to be allowed to remain permanently in Ireland and for the government to reconsider its policy on on deporting young people once they reach the age of 18.
"The total number of 'aged out' asylum seekers who have applied for leave to remain on humanitarian grounds up to January 1st, 2005, but not on the basis of an Irish-born child, is relatively small," said Green Party justice spokesman Ciaran Cuffe.
"I think we should be cautious about deporting young people who have put down roots in this country."
Green Party Dublin Mid-West TD Paul Gogarty, who represents the Palmerstown area, praised the work of the students of Pobalscoil Iosolde, Palmerstown, for keeping the campaign alive.
"The young people in Palmerstown Community School cannot be praised enough for their efforts," said Mr Gogarty. "People power has been shown to work. Now hopefully they can all get down to their studies."
Sinn Féin spokesman on justice Aengus Ó Snodaigh called for a moratorium on deportations to allow the Human Rights Commission to investigate the human rights implications of the policy.
His colleague Caoimhghín Ó'Caoláin raised the case of the Okolie family who were deported on the same plane as Mr Eluhanla last week.
"Nkechi Okolie and her three children aged six, 10 and 16 were forced out of the country to the consternation of the community throughout County Monaghan," Mr Ó'Caoláin said.
"The younger children have been reared here and know no other reality but Ireland. This family were valued members of the community."