Paschal Donohoe
Question:524 Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of deportations that took place in 2011; the reasons for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8173/12]
View answerTuesday, 14 February 2012
Questions (478)
Written answers
Over 4,100 persons were deported or removed from the State in 2011 in accordance with the enforcement of our immigration-related laws.
The break down by category is as follows:
Almost 3,700 persons refused entry into the State at ports of entry and returned to the place where they had come from,
280 failed asylum seekers and other illegal migrants deported from the State in 2011, all of whom had entered the State art one point or another,
144 asylum seekers transferred to the EU member state in which they first applied for asylum under the Dublin Regulation,
41 EU nationals were returned to their countries of origin on foot of an EU Removal Order.
The removal of illegal immigrants from the State is a necessary feature of the enforcement of immigration legislation with the purpose of upholding the integrity of the immigration system. In enforcing the law in this respect, Ireland is no different from other countries who also remove individuals who have no lawful right to remain within their territory.