Vol. 558 No. 4
360 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will inform Dáil Éireann of the cost of Operation Hyphen which took place on 16 July 2002 in Dublin and elsewhere on 23 July 2002; his views on whether this was an appropriate use of taxpayers' money; and if he has plans to carry out a similar operation in the future. [24383/02]
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the total amount of money spent on Operation Hyphen for the two days in July was €101,518. This is broken down between the Dublin metropolitan region –€30,226; other regions –€49,569; and the Garda National Immigration Bureau for both days –€21,569. It is my firm view that it is entirely appropriate that taxpayers' money be spent on the enforcement of our immigration laws. I am informed by the Garda authorities that they consider that Oper ation Hyphen was a success in that 16 persons wanted for deportation were apprehended, a number were charged with offences before the District Court and a number who were here illegally are believed to have left the State voluntarily. As a result of the operation there has been a dramatic increase in the number of non-EEA nationals who are registering at the Garda National Immigration Bureau and at local Garda registration offices as they are required to do under the provisions of the Aliens Order, 1946, as amended. Accordingly, I am satisfied that this was an appropriate use of taxpayers money.
The enforcement of immigration law is an operational matter for the Garda authorities. Accordingly, it is a matter for the Garda authorities to determine whether and when similar operations should be carried out in the future.
