Written Answers. - Asylum Applications.
Brendan Howlin
Question:
1043
Mr. Howlin
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
the total number of asylum applicants granted refugee status in each month during 2000 as a percentage of the total asylum applications processed each month; the total recognition rate, grant of refugee status plus grant of other status, as a percentage of total asylum applications processed each month; the number of asylum applications made by people arriving through the following entry points, Shannon Airport, Dublin Airport, Cork Seaport, Rosslare Seaport and Dublin Seaport for each month during 2000; and the number of applications made each month in 2000 other than at these five entry points.
[1825/01]
The information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following tabular statement.
Table 1
Total number of asylum applicants granted refugee status in each month during 2000 as a percentage of the total asylum
applications processed each month*
|
Jan.
|
Feb.
|
March
|
April
|
May
|
June
|
July
|
Aug.
|
Sept.
|
Oct.
|
Nov.
|
Dec.**
|
Total
|
|
12.2%
|
9%
|
9.2%
|
5.6%
|
6.2%
|
6.9%
|
5.8%
|
3.8%
|
3.3%
|
6.5%
|
8.6%
|
–
|
7%
|
*For the purposes of this table, applications processed are decisions taken by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in respect of applications for refugee status.
**Decisions arising from recommendations of the RAC for December, 2000 are being processed at present.
Table 2
Total recognition rates – grant of refugee status plus grant of other status as a percentage of total asylum applications processed each month*
|
Jan.
|
Feb.
|
March
|
April
|
May
|
June
|
July
|
Aug.
|
Sept.
|
Oct.
|
Nov.
|
Dec.
|
Total
|
|
14.9%
|
21.7%
|
16.7%
|
8.7%
|
17.3%
|
16.3%
|
19.9%
|
11.9%
|
16.9%
|
12.9%
|
12.6%
|
51.6%
|
16%
|
*For the purposes of this table applications processed are those ending in a determination of refugee status and other forms of status.
Other forms of status include:
1.Temporary leave to remain;
2.Residence on the basis of parentage of an Irish citizen child;
3.Permission to remain to current/former asylum seekers who are the spouse of an Irish National;
4.Permission to remain to current/former asylum seekers who are the spouse of an EEA National;
Table 3
Place of Applications
|
ShannonAiport
|
DublinAirport
|
CorkAir+Sea
|
RosslareSeaport
|
DublinSeaport
|
Office ofthe R.A.C.
|
Other
|
Total
|
|
Jan.
|
14(1.4%)
|
57(5.8%)
|
11(1.1%)
|
132(13.5%)
|
–
|
735(75.3%)
|
27(2.8%)
|
976
|
|
Feb.
|
24(2.8%)
|
65(7.5%)
|
13(1.5%)
|
20(2.3%)
|
–
|
731(84.6%)
|
11(1.3%)
|
864
|
|
March
|
13(1.3%)
|
57(5.9%)
|
28(2.9%)
|
101(10.4%)
|
–
|
752(77.4%)
|
21(2.2%)
|
972
|
|
April
|
5(.5%)
|
81(7.8%)
|
45(4.3%)
|
141(13.6%)
|
4(.4%)
|
711(68.6%)
|
49(4.7%)
|
1,036
|
|
ShannonAiport
|
DublinAirport
|
CorkAir+Sea
|
RosslareSeaport
|
DublinSeaport
|
Office ofthe R.A.C.
|
Other
|
Total
|
|
May
|
–
|
78(9.7%)
|
7(.9%)
|
120(15%)
|
3(.4%)
|
576(71.8%)
|
18(2.2%)
|
802
|
|
June
|
3(.4%)
|
77(11.4%)
|
7(1%)
|
111(16.4%)
|
4(.6%)
|
467(69%)
|
8(1.2%)
|
677
|
|
July
|
2(.3%)
|
102(13.2%)
|
9(1.2%)
|
135(17.5%)
|
1(.1%)
|
514(66.5%)
|
10(1.3%)
|
773
|
|
Aug.
|
1(.1%)
|
144(15.7%)
|
3(.3%)
|
185(20.1%)
|
2(.2%)
|
566(61.6%)
|
18(2%)
|
919
|
|
Sept.
|
7(.7%)
|
277(28.8%)
|
5(.5%)
|
186(19.3%)
|
–
|
440(45.7%)
|
48(5%)
|
963
|
|
Oct.
|
3(.3%)
|
256(23.3%)
|
8(.7%)
|
180(16.4%)
|
7(.6%)
|
616(56.1%)
|
28(2.6%)
|
1,098
|
|
Nov 17/11
|
2(.3%)
|
77(10.6%)
|
7(1%)
|
93(12.8%)
|
4(.6%)
|
522(71.9%)
|
21(2.9%)
|
726
|
|
Nov 30/11
|
1(.3%)
|
107(28.9%)
|
3(.8%)
|
45(12.2%)
|
1(.3%)
|
188(50.8%)
|
25(6.8%)
|
370
|
|
Dec
|
|
243(31.9%)
|
10(1.3%)
|
17(2.2%)
|
5(.7%)
|
442(58%)
|
45(5.9%)
|
762
|
|
Total
|
75 (.7%)
|
1,621 (14.8%)
|
156 (1.4%)
|
1,466 (13.4%)
|
31 (.3%)
|
7,260 (66.4%)
|
329 (3%)
|
10,938
|
In table 3, % refers to percentage of total monthly applications.
Statistics of applications for Cork Airport and seaport are not maintained separately. Records are not maintained in such a way as to enable these figures to be extracted without the diversion of a disproportionate amount of staff resources.
Brendan Howlin
Question:
1044
Mr. Howlin
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
the total number of persons arriving at frontiers of the State during 1999 and 2000 who were refused permission to enter, broken down according to the main grounds for such refusal; and, in respect of those refused admission, the number who had been in possession of valid entry visas issued by Irish embassies or consulates.
[1826/01]
Brendan Howlin
Question:
1045
Mr. Howlin
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
the number of non-nationals possessing a valid entry visa issued by Irish embassies or consulates, who were refused permission to enter the State and detained overnight or for longer in prisons during the year 2000, broken down by age, sex and the purpose of visits.
[1827/01]
Brendan Howlin
Question:
1046
Mr. Howlin
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
if he will state, in respect of the period from 20 November 2000 to 31 December 2000, the number of persons who were refused permission to disembark from fer ries arriving at Rosslare, Cork and Dun Laoghaire, or from aircraft landing at Dublin and Shannon.
[1828/01]
Brendan Howlin
Question:
1047
Mr. Howlin
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
if he will state, in respect of the period from 20 November 2000 to 31 December 2000, the number of persons refused permission to embark at Cherbourg, France, on ferries travelling to Rosslare, County Wexford.
[1829/01]
Brendan Howlin
Question:
1048
Mr. Howlin
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
the instructions that have been issued to immigration officials, based outside Ireland or on planes or ships travelling to Ireland, in regard to the procedures to be followed where refusal to allow embarkation of potential applicants for asylum is concerned; the authority for the issuing of any such instructions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[1830/01]
Brendan Howlin
Question:
1049
Mr. Howlin
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
the instructions that have been issued to immigration officials to ensure that the conditions under which asylum applications may be made are clearly conveyed to potential applicants and that no one is prevented or obstructed from the legitimate exercise of this entitlement; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[1831/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1044 to 1049, inclusive, together.
Figures relating to the number of persons refused leave to enter the State during 1999 and 2000 are set out in table one below according to the main grounds for refusal. I am advised that during 2000, 14 persons possessing valid Irish entry visas were refused permission to enter the State and detained overnight or longer in places of detention under the Aliens Order, 1946, as amended. The age, gender and stated purpose of visit are set out in Table Two below. Figures are not available for the total number of persons refused and who were in possession of a valid Irish entry visa upon arrival.
Immigration controls are applied upon arrival in the State and not outside the jurisdiction, although these controls may on occasion be carried out on board a vessel or aircraft upon its arrival for operational reasons. During the period 20 November to 31 December, 2000 a total of 39 persons were refused permission to enter prior to their disembarking upon arrival in the State.
Leave to land is granted in cases where a person claims political asylum upon arrival and I can assure the Deputy that the provisions of section 9(1) of the Refugee Act, as amended, which so requires are strictly complied with. The full commencement by me of the Act on 20 November 2000 was preceded by a series of seminars for immigration officers throughout the State. The instructions issued at those seminars emphasised the obligation on an immigration officer to assist an asylum applicant in making his or her application and to comply generally with the provisions of the Act and this applies equally when immigration controls are carried out upon arrival in the State prior to disembarkation.
In so far as the question of embarkation outside of the jurisdiction is concerned, the position is that most carriers carry out documentation checks of their passengers prior to boarding. In many jurisdictions, including all EU states, fines can be applied to carriers when a passenger arrives in the jurisdiction without the necessary documentation required for entry. I have recently received Government approval to draft similar legislation for Ireland and work is well under way in my Department in this regard.
Detailed discussions have already taken place with a range of carriers regarding the proposed legislation. Arising from that consultation process, a number of carriers have sought advice and assistance in advance of the introduction of the legislation. Irish Ferries sought such assistance of the Garda National Immigration Bureau with a view to reducing the extent to which its Cherbourg-Rosslare route was being abused by persons travelling on false documents. Both the Garda National Immigration Bureau and the French Frontier Police agree that this route is the main transit point for illegal entry from France to Ireland. The resultant checks by Irish Ferries staff at Cherbourg, drawing on the advice given by members of the Garda National Immigration Bureau, have resulted in a significant increase in the number of person refused permission to travel on the basis that they were carrying inadequate or false documents. Members of the Garda Bureau are fully aware that they are acting in an advisory capacity only and that the company reserve the right of decision in relation to refusing to carry a passenger whose documentation is not adequate. Although the number of persons in question would principally be a matter for the company itself, my understanding is that during the period 20 November, 2000 to 31 December, 2000 124 persons were refused permission to embark on the basis of advice from Garda National Immigration Bureau officers.
It is not known what the intention of the persons refused boarding by Irish Ferries might have been had they entered Ireland. Many of the persons may have planned to claim asylum, to take up employment illegally, or to use this country as a transit point for the United Kingdom. In any event, any of the persons in question who wished to seek asylum would be in a position to make the necessary application to the French authorities or to the authorities in the EU state through which he or she first entered the territory of the European Union. This approach is reflected in the principles underpinning the Dublin Convention to which all EU states are parties.
Table One
dt16p6,0p6r0,10m,0p6r0,5m,0p6r0,5m>
|
Grounds for refusal
|
Article of Aliens Order, 1946(as amended)
|
1999
|
2000
|
|
Insufficient funds
|
5(2)(a)
|
509
|
725
|
|
No Work Permit
|
5(2)(b)
|
113
|
149
|
|
No Visa
|
5(2)(e)
|
1,053
|
1,397
|
|
No Valid Document
|
5(2)(i)
|
1,003
|
2,735
|
|
Intending to travel to Great Britain or Northern Ireland but would not be admitted there
|
5(2)(j)
|
619
|
363
|
|
Intending to deceive regarding purpose of visit
|
5(2)(m)
|
214
|
213
|
|
Other
|
|
223
|
270
|
|
Total
|
|
3,734
|
5,852
|
Table Two
dt3m,0p6r0,5m,0p6r0,9m>
|
Age
|
Gender
|
Stated Purpose of Visit
|
|
49
|
Male
|
Business
|
|
27
|
Male
|
Business
|
|
35
|
Male
|
Business
|
|
27
|
Male
|
Business
|
|
36
|
Male
|
Business
|
|
32
|
Male
|
Business
|
|
46
|
Male
|
Business
|
|
29
|
Male
|
Business
|
|
22
|
Male
|
Business
|
|
21
|
Male
|
Business
|
|
19
|
Male
|
Business
|
|
26
|
Male
|
Business
|
|
16*
|
Male
|
Business
|
|
25
|
Male
|
Sports Competitor
|
*In this instance, the person refused entry was travelling on a 16 year old's passport with a validly issued Irish visa but the Immigration Officer was satisfied that he was not in fact the person in respect of whom both the passport and visa had been issued (and was also an adult).
Brendan Howlin
Question:
1050
Mr. Howlin
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
the responsibility under Irish law and international law that rests on officials of ferry or airline carriers landing here to receive or assess applications from those seeking asylum; if such applications are made before or after embarkation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[1832/01]
Officials of ferry or airline carriers landing in the State do not have any responsibility or role under Irish or international law to receive or assess applications from persons seeking asylum in the State.
In accordance with the provisions of section 8(1) (a) of the Refugee Act, 1996
"a person who arrives at the frontiers of the State seeking asylum in the State or seeking the protection of the State against persecution or requesting not to be returned or removed to a particular country or otherwise indicating an unwillingness to leave the State for fear of persecution–
(i)shall be interviewed by an immigration officer as soon as practicable after such arrival, and
(ii)may apply to the Minister for a declaration."
In accordance with section 8(1)(c) of the Refugee Act, 1996, a person who is in the State and is seeking the status of a refugee in the State may apply to the Minister for a declaration as a refugee.
This application is made in writing on a prescribed application form and is addressed to the Refugee Applications Commissioner. The Refugee Applications Commissioner is responsible, in accordance with the provisions of the Refugee Act, 1996, for making recommendations to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform as to whether a person should be granted or refused refugee status at first instance. The Refugee Appeals Tribunal is responsible for dealing with appeals against negative recommendations of the Refugee Applications Commissioner.
In accordance with section 9(1) of the Refugee Act, 1996, a person who applies to the Minister for a declaration as a refugee shall be given leave to enter and remain in the State until such a time as the person in question's application has reached final determination.
