Vol. 555 No. 4
50 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will consider withdrawing the re-admission agreement with the Nigerian Government which allows for the re-admission of persons at the request of the contracting states, in view of the concerns over the possible treatment of citizens deported to Nigeria. [18524/02]
The re-admission agreement with Nigeria to which the Deputy refers was approved by the Government on 27 March 2001, signed on 29 August 2001 and ratified by Ireland on 28 March 2002. The agreement will come into effect on confirmation by the Nigerian authorities that the agreement has been ratified by the appropriate parliamentary process in Nigeria. The purpose of the agreement is, inter alia, to provide an agreed and structured mechanism within which the repatriation of Nigerian nationals can be effected. The agreement in itself has nothing to do with any individual decision to deport a person. I have not considered, nor do I have any plans to consider, withdrawing the re-admission agreement with the Nigerian Government.
