Written Answers. - Department's Aliens Division.
Ruairí Quinn
Question:
12
Mr. Quinn
asked the
Minister for Justice
if he has completed his review of the procedures relating to the administration of the aliens section of his Department; if he will outline the changes he intends to introduce; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am grateful to the Deputy for giving me the opportuity to outline, in a general way, the measures I have been taking with a view to improving, where possible, the effectiveness of the day-to-day workings of the Aliens Division of the Department of Justice.
I trust that it will not come as a surprise to the Deputy when I say that, in common with Deputies on all sides of the House, I have been concerned for some time about the public impression of the general operation of our system of immigration and visa controls. My concern arose initially from my experience as a Deputy, and before I took on my current responsibilities as Minister for Justice, but it is an area in which I have taken a personal interest since my appointment with a view to some changes taking place.
Some time ago, I called a meeting of the staff of the Aliens Division of my Department in order to convey my concern, and the concern of Deputies from all sides who have approached me in this matter, and to see what could be done to improve efficiency and effectiveness. The meeting was attended by all levels of staff in the Division, including senior officials with responsibility in this area. I think it would be fair to say that the meeting was an educational one for all concerned but I took the opportunity to make it clear that I thought that something needed to be done and that changes needed to be made.
Arising from that meeting, a number of areas were identified where it was considered that, on the face of it, a detailed examination could lead to improvements. In general, they covererd the broad scope of the work of the Aliens Division but the primary areas where it was felt that benefits could accrue from a thorough study were: (1) work procedures, including management control systems; (2) training, including training for departmental staff and immigration officers as well as for the Garda Síochána in general; and (3) liaison arrangements between my Department and the Garda authorities with regard to immigration controls generally.
I have asked that recommendations in these areas be submitted to me as soon as possible and I intend to have another meeting with the staff in this area shortly to assess progress.
I have asked, also, that the possibility of computerisation of procedures be specially examined. This is a somewhat specialised area with considerable resource implications and it may turn out to require a more detailed or professional examination. It will certainly be a more long term study than the initial examination of the other areas I have mentioned but it is an area with possibilities and the preliminary study will form a basis for further work in this area.
I hope that the Deputy will be satisfied that I have gone some way in putting the wheels in motion. Before I finish, I want to emphasise that the fact that I am of the view that improvements can be made in no way reflects on the professionalism or abilities of the staff of my Department who work in this area. As I say, I have discussed this whole area with those who are involved in the day-to-day operation of immigration and visa controls and they have impressed me as dedicated and talented people who are operating a system of essential controls in difficult circumstances with end results which, inevitably, do not please everyone.
I should also make it clear, in fairness to the staff, that there is a large volume of work to be dealt with in the Division. Visa applications are running at about 350 a week, applications per annum for naturalisation have almost doubled in the past three years while, in the past four or five years or so, the volume of EC-related work in the immigration field has grown out of all recognition. For example, this year alone to date nearly 100 meetings on immigration matters have had to be serviced at a Community level by staff from the Aliens Division.
Coping with the volume of work has been a substantial achievement in itself. That is not to say that improvements in procedures and systems cannot be made which would enhance the service provided by the Division. My own philosophy is that all areas of work can benefit if the time is taken to stand back a little to examine the basic work procedures and management systems. We can all learn to our advantage from some quiet reflection.
It would be misleading of me if I were to leave the House under the misapprehension that a review of the working operations of the Aliens Division of my Department could be expected to lead to significant changes in the Government's policy on aliens controls. Our policy will still remain the same, to encourage tourism and travel for business and educational purposes. However vigilance against illegal immigration, particularly by those who would wish to use Ireland as an easy back-door to other European destinations, will continue to be necessary.
