Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2004
427 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding an application for voluntary repatriation by persons (details supplied) in County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31099/04]
View answerThe persons in question arrived in the State on 3 April 2003 and claimed asylum. Their applications were refused following consideration of their cases by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and on appeal by the Office of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal.
In accordance with section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, these persons were notified on 9 November 2004 that the Minister was proposing to make deportation orders in respect of them and they were given the following options: to make written representations within 15 working days to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform setting out reasons they should be allowed to remain in the State; to voluntarily leave the State; or to consent to a deportation order. An application to voluntarily repatriate with practical assistance from the International Organisation for Migration, IOM, was made on 21 October 2004. This application was received by my Department on 26 October 2004. The persons concerned have been approved to voluntarily repatriate to their country of origin. IOM will shortly make arrangements for their departure from the State.
