Vol. 546 No. 5
250 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has satisfied himself that all non-nationals deported from this country in the past 12 months did not subsequently suffer persecution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32448/01]
In deciding whether to grant humanitarian leave to remain or make a deportation order, each case is considered on its particular merits in accordance with the criteria specified in section 3 of the Immigration Act, 1999. Those criteria include, for example, humanitarian con siderations and representations made by or on behalf of the person. The issue of refoulement as set out in section 5 of the Refugee Act, 1996, is also given full consideration in each case. This means that a person shall not be expelled from the State or returned in any manner whatsoever to a state where, in my opinion, the life or freedom of that person would be threatened on account of his or her race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion.
I am not aware of any non-national who has been deported from the State over the past 12 months having suffered persecution.
251 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of emigrants, refugees and asylum seekers deported in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32449/01]
I am informed that the total number of persons deported over the past 12 months amounted to 355. Of these, 292 were people who had applied for asylum and whose applications were refused. Nobody who has been recognised as a refugee in the State has been deported during that time. In addition, 22 persons left the State in the same period before deportation orders could be enforced. A further 300 persons voluntarily returned to their country of origin over the past 12 months.
