Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Nov 1999

Vol. 509 No. 6

Written Answers. - Treatment of Irish Citizens Abroad.

Austin Deasy

Question:

45 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the treatment meted out by an immigration official to an RTE camera crew at St. John's Airport, Newfoundland; if he has protested to his Canadian counterpart regarding this unwarranted action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20884/99]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

No representations about this matter were made to me or to the Department of Foreign Affairs and we were unaware of it until the Deputy asked this question.

On 10 September 1999 two members of a three-man TG4 television crew going to film a documentary programme were told by an immigration officer on arrival at the airport in St. John's that they were required to have employment authorisation and to pay $150 each. When the reasons for this were explained to the two people concerned they paid the fees and authorisation was granted but they were delayed two hours.

The Opposition spokesperson on tourism and culture in Newfoundland subsequently expressed disapproval of this decision, maintained that the crew fulfilled conditions for exemption from "employment validation" and called on the Canadian and Newfoundland governments to apologise to the television crew.

I have requested the embassy in Ottawa to ask the authorities there whether the immigration officer was justified in requiring two members of the crew to have employment authorisation or validation and to pay fees of $150, whether they should have been exempted or whether the immigration officer had authority to exercise discretion in the matter. As soon as there is a response from the Canadian authorities I will contact the Deputy.