Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 April 2004
353 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the names, ages and former addresses here of the nationals deported on 31 March 2004; the number of deportation orders signed by him awaiting execution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10713/04]
View answerThe Garda national immigration bureau removed a total of 61 persons on a charter operation to Romania and Moldova on 31 March 2004. The persons concerned were mainly former asylum seekers who had their claims for refugee status refused after due consideration by one or both of the two independent statutory offices established to consider such applications i.e. the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.
Section 19 of the Refugee Act 1996 specifically requires, inter alia, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform to take all practicable steps to ensure that the identity of applicants is kept confidential. Therefore, the precise information sought cannot be provided. However, I can provide the following statistical details in respect of those removed:
|
Country of destination |
No. of adults deported |
No. of dependent minors deported |
Voluntary returns |
Persons refused leave to land in the State |
|
Romania |
44 |
3 |
3* |
5 |
|
Moldova |
5 |
1 |
Nil |
Nil |
*Irish born children who accompanied their parents.
There are currently 637 deportation orders, arrangements for the implementation of which are being made. There are a further 4,883 persons who failed to present themselves to the Garda national immigration bureau in accordance with the arrangements made for the implementation of deportation orders made against them. These persons are classified as evaders and, although it is not known how many actually remain in the State, they are subject to arrest and detention for the purposes of deportation.
