asked the Minister for Justice if he will make a statement concerning the deportation of an alien (name supplied) in December, 1970.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Deportation of Alien.
47.
She was not deported. She was refused leave to land on the first occasion she arrived. She came here with a refugee's travel document while at the same time claiming to be a Nigerian citizen, even though the organisation that had been sponsoring her had been informed at a much earlier date that she, and some other persons who were also being sponsored by the organisation, would not be permitted to come here unless they first regularised their position with the authorities of their own country. She went back by the next available plane to France, which was the country from which she had arrived here.
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, she returned to this country two days later, having in the meantime obtained a passport from the authorities of her own country, and she was admitted.
The Deputy may also be aware that subsequently the chairman and another member of the organisation concerned, in separate public statements, expressed their regret for certain criticisms that had been directed at me and my Department for the way in which the case had been dealt with. I am glad to have the opportunity to acknowledge these apologies which, of course, I unhesitatingly accept.