Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 May 2024
461. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of immigration officers policing Dublin port and Rosslare port and Cork port to ensure that human trafficking is not taking place through the illegal transportation of persons into Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21593/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Border Management Unit (BMU) of my Department has responsibility for frontline immigration duties at Dublin Airport only. Other airports and other ports of entry are the responsibility of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).
I am advised by the Garda Commissioner of that the number of members of An Garda Síochána, trained as Immigration Officers, assigned to Dublin port, Rosslare port and Cork port, in 2023, is as follows:
|
2023 |
|
|
Dublin Port |
25 |
|
Cork City |
14 |
|
Cork County |
<10 |
|
Rosslare Europort |
<10 |
I am advised that while Cork Port has no full time Immigration Officers deployed, other Garda stations from within the District deploy Garda members to Cork Port.
Maintaining the integrity of the immigration system, involves robust controls to prevent illegal entry. Detecting human trafficking and people smuggling forms part of the duties of Immigration Officers at all ports of entry. My Department is taking over the immigration registration function from An Garda Síochána, which will free up to 100 Gardaí for other immigration enforcement work.
A specialised Garda Unit, the Human Trafficking Investigation and Co-ordination Unit (HTICU), has been in place since 2009 to conduct investigations into human trafficking. It also provides advice, support and where necessary, operational assistance to investigations at district level. At present, where GNIB identify a victim of human trafficking, including minors, a Superintendent will request in writing an immigration permission letter for that victim to the Immigration Service. The current policy arrangements are available here: www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Administrative-Immigration-Arrangements-for-the-Protection-of-Victims-of-Human-Trafficking-March-2011-1.pdf
People smuggling is the facilitated, irregular movement of people across borders for a financial or other benefit. While distinct from human trafficking, it is exploitative of vulnerable people and as we have seen, very often the way in which they are smuggled into countries places them in mortal danger.
That is why in 2021 our legislation was strengthened to combat people smuggling both into Ireland and into other countries (including EU Member States and parties to the UN Protocol against people smuggling). The Criminal Justice (Smuggling of Persons) Act 2021 widened the range of scenarios covered by our laws, including intentionally assisting entry, transit or presence where the person knows or has reasonable cause to believe that it is in breach of specified immigration law provisions.
The penalties provided reflect the seriousness with which this crime is taken with a penalty of up to 10 years for assisting unlawful entry into, transit across or presence in the State or in a designated State or for the provision of fraudulent documents used or intended to be used for people smuggling.
The Act also helps facilitate greater cooperation with our colleagues in the UK and across Europe to combat smugglers and Ireland continues to work constructively with our EU partners to ensure that appropriate legislative and operational measures are in place to combat people smuggling and human trafficking.
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the distribution of Garda members between the different Garda units and Divisions. As Minister, I have no role in such matters. I am however, assured by the Garda Commissioner that this distribution is kept under review in light of emerging crime trends and policing needs.
I can, however, assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to building stronger, safer communities and a strengthened, well-resourced Garda Síochána is central to this policy. This commitment is demonstrated by the unprecedented provision of more than €2.3 billion to the Garda Vote this year, which is allowing for sustained and ongoing recruitment and investment in new equipment and new vehicles.
