Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 July 2013
925. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of residency applications in each of the past three years and to date in 2013 from non-EU nationals as spouses of EU citizens; the number of applications involving a national from each member state; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35467/13]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the number of applications for residency from non-EU nationals as a spouse of an EU citizen for the years in question is as follows:
|
Year |
Number |
|
2010 |
1,906 |
|
2011 |
1,573 |
|
2012 |
1,944 |
|
2013 year to date |
907 |
Figures are provisional and liable to change.
The further detailed breakdown of information requested by the Deputy as is available is currently being compiled and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy in the near future.
A persistent problem with the operation EU Treaty Rights under Statutory Instrument No. 656 of 2006 (as amended) is the suspicion that some marriages (so-called marriages of convenience) are entered into for the purpose of the non-EEA national obtaining permission to remain in the State. This is a complex issue with no single remedy, either legislative or administrative, and the constitutional protection afforded to the institution of marriage makes the possibility of effective criminal sanctions highly problematic. However, the Immigration Residence and Protection Bill, which I hope to republish later this year, contains a number of provisions that would make it more difficult for persons engaging in a marriage of convenience to benefit from it in immigration terms. My colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, is likewise in the process of looking at possible changes to the Civil Registration Act in order to make such marriages more difficult to contract. These legislative steps should contribute to reducing the incentive to seek to engage in such marriages.
