Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 29 Jun 1999

Vol. 507 No. 2

Written Answers. - Asylum Applications.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

223 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons refused leave to land in each year since 1994 who (a) did not make an asylum application and immediately left the frontier of the State, (b) did not make an asylum application but remained in the State in other circumstances, (c) made an asylum application but immediately left the frontier of the State, (d) made an asylum application and remained in the State on that basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16346/99]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

224 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform a breakdown of the number of persons refused leave to land in each years since 1994 categorised in each year by nationality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16347/99]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

225 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform a breakdown of the number of persons refused leave to land in each year since 1994 categorised in each year by country or origin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16348/99]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

226 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform a breakdown of the number of persons refused leave to land in each year since 1994 categorised in each year by port, airport, other point of entry into the State or other place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16349/99]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

227 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform a breakdown of the number of persons granted leave to land in each year since 1994 categorised in each year by nationality, country of origin and if the person made an asylum application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16350/99]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

228 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons where leave to land was granted who sought the facility of an interpreter; the number of cases where this facility was afforded in each year since 1994; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16351/99]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

229 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons where leave to land was refused who sought the facility of an interpreter; the number of cases where this facility was afforded in each year since 1994; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16352/99]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

230 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons where leave to land was granted who sought the facility of a legal adviser; the number of cases where this facility was afforded in each year since 1994; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16353/99]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

231 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of persons where leave to land was refused who sought the facility of a legal adviser; the number of cases where this facility was afforded in each year since 1994; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16354/99]

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

232 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of unaccompanied minors refused leave to land in each year since 1994; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16355/99]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 223 to 232, inclusive, together.

The following tabular statement gives a breakdown of the numbers of persons refused leave to land in the State. In addition the following are the numbers of persons refused leave to land who applied for asylum:

1994	355
1995	70
1996	177
1997	264
1998	686

These persons were not returned to the place from which they embarked for the State pending consideration of their asylum application.

Statistics relating to the nationality of those refused are not readily available and will take some time to compile. I will arrange to have them forwarded to the Deputy as soon as they are available.

Statistics relating to the number of persons who sought the services of an interpreter and the services of a legal adviser, are not available.

No unaccompanied minors were refused leave to land during the period of time specified.

Breakdown of persons refused leave to land in each year since 1994 categorised by port, airport etc.

	1998	1997	1996	1995	1994*
Dún Laoghaire Port	349	304	0	0	0
Dublin Port (including Connolly Rail Station)	512	429	0	0	0
Dublin Airport	1,232	780	397	297	0
Cork Airport and Ringaskiddy Port	41	45	15	3	27
Dundalk Rail Station	37	139	0	0	0
Shannon Airport	22	30	18	33	17
Foynes Port	3	0	2	8	1
Rosslare Port	134	88	116	19	28
Farranfore Airport	0	2	0	0	0
Knock Airport	0	0	0	0	0
Sligo Regional Airport	0	0	0	0	0
Letterkenny Regional Airport	0	0	0	0	0
Waterford Port	97	31	12	37	15
Total	2,427	1,848	560	397	88

*Records for 1994 are incomplete.

Nora Owen

Question:

233 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if an application for naturalisation for a person (details supplied) has been granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16356/99]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

The application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was submitted to this Department in September 1997. Having considered the application under the provisions of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Acts, 1956 and 1986 I decided in March 1999 not to grant a certificate of naturalisation. The person referred to was informed in writing of this decision at that time. The person referred to was also informed that I would be prepared to reconsider his application in February 2000, and that officials in my Department would be in touch with him prior to that time to give him an opportunity to update his application. This is still the position.

Nora Owen

Question:

234 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if an application for naturalisation for a person (details supplied) has been granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16357/99]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to in January 1997. In January 1999, I considered this application and decided not to grant a certificate of naturalisation on the basis of the information submitted by the applicant at that time.

The person concerned is at liberty to apply again setting out full details of his establishment, including his actual residency, in this State.

Alan M. Dukes

Question:

235 Mr. Dukes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he will make a decision on an application for citizenship by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare in view of the fact that his work permit is due to be renewed in September 1999; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16409/99]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy was submitted to this Department in February 1999.

The various procedures involved in processing an application for a certificate of naturalisation in respect of a person of full age, coupled with the high number of applications being received, are resulting in applications taking in excess of one year to complete. It is likely, therefore, to be next year before this case is completed.

As soon as full consideration has been given to the case, I will advise both the applicant and the Deputy of my decision.