I propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 134 together.
Members of the Garda Síochána in their capacity as immigration officers at ports of entry to the State are required under the provisions of the Refugee Act, 1996, to receive applications for asylum and to permit applicants to remain in the State while their applications are being processed. Garda immigration officers are not in a position to determine whether or not asylum claims are well-founded or to ascertain what the motivation of persons who request asylum here might be.
The number of applications received by my Department for permission to remain on the basis of parentage of an Irish citizen child during 2001 was 6,570, of which 5,924 were in respect of current or former asylum applicants. Prior to 2001, statistics were only maintained on applications granted, not on applications received. The total number of persons granted permission to remain in the State on the basis of their parentage of an Irish citizen was 1,515 in 2000 and 1,428 in 1999. No applications of this type were granted in 1998 as the basis for granting such permission was under review at that time. Figures are not available for the number of persons granted permission to remain on this basis in 1997 and 1996 other than for current or former asylum seekers. In 1997 and 1996, 107 and 142 current or former asylum applicants were granted permission to remain on the basis of their parentage of an Irish citizen. Statistics are not available for either 1994 or 1995.
Question No. 133 answered with Question No. 27.
Question No. 134 answered with Question No. 132.
Question No. 135 answered with Question No. 62.
Question No. 136 answered with Question No. 10.