Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 27 Jun 2000

Vol. 522 No. 2

Written Answers. - Asylum Seekers.

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

365 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has satisfied himself with the level of co-operation of the French authorities with regard to asylum seekers who seek to board containers there; and if, in view of the recent tragedy in which 58 people died in the UK, he will seek further consultation and action from the French authorities. [17905/00]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 365 and 400 together.

The recent tragic events in Dover where 58 people lost their lives have drawn further attention to the necessity for international co-operation in the context of illegal immigration generally. Because the vast majority of asylum seekers arrive in the State via the United Kingdom or France, the Government recognises that a strengthening of international liaison with those countries is important in identifying immigration trends and flows and co-ordinating immigration related activities both at a policy level and at a day to day operational level.

The Government agreed on 8 May 2000 as part of a number of measures agreed in relation to asylum, refugees and immigration matters, approved the strengthening of Garda international liaison arrangements by the placing of Garda liaison officers in London and Paris for the purpose of interacting with local law enforcement authorities on immigration matters and in that regard, with particular emphasis on combating trafficking activity and on departures from major embarkation points to Ireland. I met the UK Home Secretary on 12 June 2000 and the French Interior Minister on 19 June 2000, the latter meeting taking place just as the tragic events in Dover were unfolding. I secured the agreement of both Ministers to the proposed placement of the officers in question and to their interaction on a pro-active basis with the relevant French and UK authorities on immigration matters generally, with particular emphasis on combating trafficking activity. The officers in question will have a critical role to play in maintaining liaison between our immigration and police services on issues concerning illegal immigration and in particular on liaison between police and immigration services at ports and airports.

I Intend that this type of liaison will continue and be developed. A further meeting at official level has been arranged with the United Kingdom and is in the course of being arranged with the French authorities. In so far as the United Kingdom is concerned, consideration must also be taken of the existence of the common travel area which results in the imposition of occasional rather than systematic immigration controls. The common travel area between the respective jurisdictions is of enormous value and relevance to the island of Ireland and Irish people generally.

The Illegal Immigrants Trafficking Bill which, inter alia, provides for severe penalties for any person who knowingly facilitates the entry into the State of a person whom he or she knows or has reasonable cause to believe is an illegal immigrant or a person who intends to seek asylum received its final approval from the Houses of the Oireachtas on 22 June 2000. The penalties in question include an unlimited fine, up to 10 years' imprisonment and the forfeiture of vehicles.