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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 25 Jun 1998

Vol. 493 No. 2

Written Answers. - Illegal Immigrants.

Ivor Callely

Question:

177 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the estimated number of illegal immigrants who have entered Ireland to date in 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15532/98]

Illegal migration is a growing phenomenon in the modern world. It is of course a clandestine and covert activity. It is intentionally recognised that criminal elements are extensively involved in trafficking in illegal immigrants. Inevitably therefore it is the case that many illegal entrants to the State evade early detection. As such it is difficult to provide a reliable estimate of the scale of illegal entry to the State.

Some indicators of the level at which illegal entry is taking place are, however, available. Up to 19 June a total of 971 persons failed to meet the criteria for entry to the State and were refused leave to land. This figure includes those persons detected attempting to enter illegally, but it also includes persons whose primary intention was not to enter illegally.

In addition, so far this year a total of 2,535 persons sought asylum in the State and a very significant proportion of those persons entered in breach of aliens' regulations. I should make very clear, however, that entering the State illegally does not affect the substantive examination of an asylum claim.

These figures do not capture those who enter the State illegally for other purposes, including to work without a work permit or those who enter legally but remain beyond the permission granted to them.

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