Thursday, 20 Nov 2014

Written Answers Nos. 61 - 80

Single Payment Scheme Payments

Questions (61)

Willie Penrose

Question:

61. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will take steps to have a person’s (details supplied) in County Westmeath entitlement to single farm payment which has been long established reviewed, in the context where they were only paid €179.35 for 2014 as opposed to €2,629 in 2013 and whereby they submitted their application in May 2014 on the basis that everything was similar to 2013 and whereby they had a significant area of land which was not required; if same will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44684/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

An application under the 2014 Single Payment Scheme was received in my Department from the person named on 7 May 2014. Following processing an overclaim was discovered in respect of one land parcel. This overclaim exceeded 3% of the eligible area and the advance payment, inclusive of the appropriate reduction penalty, issued on 16 October 2014. My Department corresponded with the person named regarding this matter and has, on review, decided to allow full payment on the eligible area with no reduction penalty. Additional payments due as a result of this decision will issue to the person named with the balancing payment.

Poultry Industry

Questions (62)

Brendan Smith

Question:

62. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the additional measures that have been put in place following the confirmation of the incidence of bird flu H5 virus in Holland and Britain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44700/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

An outbreak of H5N8 strain avian flu has been confirmed in chickens recently in Germany, the Netherlands and UK. I am very pleased that the Member States concerned and the EU Commission have already taken urgent steps to control the spread of the virus. The measures taken include the culling of the poultry on the affected holding, the establishment of protection and surveillance zones, the prohibition of movements to sell live poultry, eggs, poultry meat and other poultry products to other EU countries and non-EU countries and the culling of affected flocks only in the restricted zones. These measures will help to reduce the likelihood of the disease spreading to other countries, such as Ireland, but clearly, given the nature of the disease and the fact that it can be spread by migratory birds, they cannot guarantee that the disease will not spread.

I would like to stress that avian influenza is a disease of poultry and that there is no known food safety risk associated with the strain of the disease which has been confirmed in the 3 countries.  The strain of the disease which has been confirmed is not the H5N1 virus that can cause severe disease in people who are infected from close contact with birds. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has stated that no human infections with the particular form of virus which has been confirmed as being involved in these outbreaks have ever been reported world-wide and that the public health threat from these outbreaks is considered very low.

In light of the increased threat of an incursion of this disease into this country, my Department has reviewed its state of preparedness to deal with an outbreak of the disease. The Department has a full range of contingency plans in place and, should an outbreak occur, it will take immediate measures to prevent the spread of the disease. The Department has been liaising with other State agencies including the FSAI and the Department of Health on the matter. Close co-operation is being maintained with Bird Watch Ireland in relation to migratory patterns of wild birds. My Department has also been in touch with officials in DARDNI with a view to ensuring maximum co-operation in the event of an outbreak.

The key focus at this stage is that bio-security measures are applied at the optimal level on farms. In view of this, contact is being maintained with farm representatives and poultry processors to ensure that a high degree of vigilance is being maintained with a view to preventing the incursion of the disease, insofar as this is possible, and to detect an outbreak at an early stage in order to prevent its spread. Avian Influenza is notifiable to the Department and it is a legal requirement to notify any unusual increase in mortalities or any suspicion of the disease to the veterinary practitioner and to the Department.

The Department also operates an Avian Influenza hotline [phone]) where members of the public can report dead wild birds.

I can assure the Deputy that the Department continues to maintain the upmost vigilance in its approach towards this disease and it will continue to monitor the situation very carefully.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (63)

Barry Cowen

Question:

63. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide in tabular form, the number of staff in his data protection office; if he has a specified data protection officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44720/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

There are four staff working in the Data Protection Unit in my Department as follows:

Grade	Number
Assistant Principal Officer	1
Higher Executive Officer	1 - Data Protection Officer
Executive Officer	2

These staff report to the Head of Corporate Affairs Division.

Agriculture Scheme Payments

Questions (64)

Michael Creed

Question:

64. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will arrange to issue disadvantaged and single farm payments in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44758/14]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named submitted a 2014 Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas’ scheme application on 14 May 2014. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases Remote Sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue.

The application of the person named was selected for a Remote Sensing eligibility inspection.

This inspection has been completed and the results are currently being finalised with the intention of issuing any payments due shortly. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will be in contact with the person named.

Defence Forces Retirement Scheme

Questions (65)

Clare Daly

Question:

65. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Defence the number of members of the Defence Forces who were retired in the interests of the service by the President of Ireland exercising his powers under section 47(2) Defence Act 1954 and Defence Force Regulation A 15, from the inception of the legislation until it was amended in 1985. [44581/14]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

It was not possible to provide the information sought by the Deputy in the time available. My Department is currently seeking to compile an accurate reply and I will provide the information directly to the Deputy once it comes to hand.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (66)

Barry Cowen

Question:

66. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide in tabular form, the number of staff in his data protection office; if he has a specified data protection officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44724/14]

Written answers

Minister for Defence

In my Department there are two staff in the data protection office. The Department has appointed a Data Protection Officer. Key responsibilities associated with this role include liaising with Branches in relation to data protection matters, responding to queries from Branches on various elements of the Data Protection Acts and liaising with the Department’s Data Controller, as and when required. The Data Protection Officer is also the first point of contact for citizens wishing to submit a Subject Access Request (SAR) to the Department.

My Department’s Data Protection Policy, which sets out the various legal obligations concerning the handling of both personal data and sensitive personal data and the steps taken by the Department to meet these obligations, is available on the Department’s website.

I am satisfied that the staff of my Department are aware of their responsibilities in relation to Data Protection through the provision of training and through the role undertaken by the Data Protection Officer.

Maternity Leave

Questions (67)

Gabrielle McFadden

Question:

67. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the necessary time required for the hospital care of pre-term babies will be excluded from the standard period of paid maternity leave. [44633/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality

Section 7 of the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 provides for postponement of maternity leave in the case of when the child is hospitalised. A request for postponement can only be made when at least 14 weeks of the maternity leave has been taken and the employer agrees to the postponement of the leave.

The current entitlement with regard to maternity leave is 26 weeks together with 16 weeks additional unpaid maternity leave. This is above the European average and there is also a provision of 18 weeks parent leave for each parent per child. This leave is unpaid.

The Family Leave Bill will be published in early 2015 and as already announced, this Bill will provide for the consolidation into one piece of legislation of the current provisions regarding maternity, adoptive, parental and carer's leave. This may also provide an opportunity to consider other issues with regard to the operation of such leave.

Departmental Policy Reviews

Questions (68)

Niall Collins

Question:

68. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she has considered and will propose the establishment of a commission on men's/fathers' rights; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44569/14]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality

I have no plans to establish such a commission at present but I am of course open to hearing the views of men's groups in relation to any matter within my area of responsibility.

Garda Recruitment

Questions (69)

Arthur Spring

Question:

69. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide an update on the recruitment plans for An Garda Síochána; and the timeframe for such recruitment. [44574/14]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

The Deputy will be aware that the first intake since 2009 of 100 new recruits entered training at the Garda College in Templemore on Monday 15 September 2014. This marked a positive step forward for policing in Ireland. Furthermore, as provided for in Budget 2015, the process of recruiting 200 new Gardaí to the force will continue over the next few months. The first batch of recruits (already in training) will attest as members of the Garda Síochána in May of 2015 and will be assigned to Garda Stations throughout the country by the Garda Commissioner.

Prison Regulations

Questions (70)

Clare Daly

Question:

70. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if there has been a policy change to discontinue the practice of spiritual comfort visits in prisons as a result of overcrowding. [44575/14]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

The Irish Prison Chaplain Service has a crucial role in the provision of pastoral and spiritual care to the entire prison community and seeks to meet the needs of all denominations. Chaplains are mostly Roman Catholic, but also come from the Church of Ireland and Methodist denominations. Spiritual advisors of other churches/religions can also attend the prisons on a visiting basis, subject to normal visit rules.

The Irish Prison Service fully acknowledges that Chaplaincy has a significant contribution to make as part of the multi-disciplinary team in a prison, addressing the physical, social and spiritual needs of prisoners in a holistic way. Prisons are difficult environments in which to live and prisoners face many personal challenges in their daily lives and at particular times of crisis, for example, family bereavement, health problems or loss of a court appeal and also in settling into prison upon committal or getting ready for release. Prison chaplains can offer a comforting and supportive presence that is independent and professional, while working as part of the prison multi-disciplinary team reporting to the Governor.

The Irish Prison Service has recently secured sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for the filling of 3.5 chaplaincy vacancies throughout the prison estate, specifically: 1 post each in Cork and Limerick and half time positions in the Mountjoy Campus, West Dublin Campus and Loughan House Open Centre. This will increase resources of the chaplaincy service to 15 posts, covering 14 institutions. The intention is to bring the total number of chaplains in the prison service up to 18.5, in order to ensure an effective and meaningful chaplaincy service. These new chaplains recruited from a Public Appointments Service competition will be direct employees of the Irish Prison Service.

Immigration Status

Questions (71)

Noel Harrington

Question:

71. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will confirm that the notice issued in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork is withdrawn in view of the circumstances notified to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44619/14]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I am advised by the Irish National Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person referred to by the Deputy is not one who requires an entry visa to the State and that this person entered the State as a visitor on 7 July 2014 when they were granted visitor permission for 90 days.

I understand that this person then made an application to INIS stating that they wished to remain in the State to marry a UK national who is living and working in the UK. The application was refused on 21 August 2014 and a request for a review was received in INIS on 10 September 2014. The review was considered and was refused as the person they propose to marry does not live in the State.

I understand that INIS received further correspondence from the applicant within the last week which informs my officials that the person left the State on a holiday during October 2014 and was allowed entry to the State on her return. Officials in INIS have since been in correspondence with the person concerned to inform them that at the end of their current visitor permission on 10th January, 2015 they are expected to leave the State if the situation is still as outlined above.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Private Security Authority Remit

Questions (72)

Seán Fleming

Question:

72. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the oversight mechanism in her Department for the board appointed to the Private Security Authority and if she is satisfied that the board is acting in a proper manner, including corporate governance, in respect of the supervision by its organisation of access control and CCTV systems where business contractors, many of whom may not be electrical contractors and not be fully competent in electrical wiring or carrying out work, are obliged to follow the requirements of SR40 in terms of ET101 and the ETCI wiring rules; the number of persons licensed by the PSA who have obtained copies of these documents and have certified that they are working in accordance with these rules and the monitoring and the inspection process by the PSA to ensure that these installations are wired correctly from an electrical point of view; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44653/14]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

The Private Security Authority (PSA), an independent statutory body under the aegis of my Department, is responsible for the regulation and licensing of the private security industry. Membership of the PSA Board is as prescribed in the Private Security Services Act 2004 (as amended) and includes an officer of my Department. Members of the Board act in accordance with the primary legislation, the Ethics in Public Office Acts, the PSA General Governance Guidelines (which are based on the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies) and the Authority’s Code of Business Conduct. In addition, the Authority is subject to annual audit by my Department and by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General.

One of the security services prescribed for regulation in the primary legislation is that of 'installer of security equipment' which includes services such as intruder alarms, access control and CCTV. In order to obtain a licence contractors are required to meet standards specified by the Authority. I am informed by the Authority that the standard required for the access control sector is SR 40:2005 - an Irish Standard Recommendation for electronic security services. For CCTV, both the SR 40 standard and PSA 2006:12 are required, the latter being the Authority's requirements for CCTV installation. SR 40 is also the standard for intruder alarms along with two European Standards, EN 50131:1 and EN 50131:7. It is a requirement of SR 40 that all installations comply with the national wiring rules (ET 101). I further understand that compliance with SR 40 is certified on an annual basis by auditing bodies accredited to the Irish National Accreditation Board (INAB). The audit includes a visit to at least two installations to ensure full compliance with the standards. Failure to meet the requirements of a standard can result in a licence being suspended or revoked.

In addition, the PSA has informed me that all PSA licensed contractors operate within the regulations set down by the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER), the body responsible for the regulation of the electrical industry. Where CER identifies a breach of their electrical regulations involving a PSA licensed contractor the Authority will take action against the licensee. To date, the Authority has not been advised of any such breach.

ET 101 is published by the Electro-Technical Council of Ireland and the Authority is not in a position to say who has obtained copies of same.

The PSA has currently issued over 650 licences in the access control sector, 640 CCTV licences and 610 intruder alarm licences, with contractors observing regulations set by the Authority and the CER. I am satisfied that the Board of the Authority is acting in a proper manner and is applying the required standards of corporate governance and oversight of the Authority's operational remit.

Deportation Orders

Questions (73)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

73. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 111 of 23 October 2014, in view of the fact that the mother of two Irish born citizen children is to be deported, if such a proposal is in line with international human rights criteria in view of the likelihood of serious hardship, the threat to the family which has lived here since 2003 and the fact that the father of the children is an EU national; if the case will therefore be urgently reviewed by the relevant section in her Department with the objective of facilitating the regularisation of the family status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44656/14]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person referred to by the Deputy is not subject to a Deportation Order.

The person concerned was granted permission to remain in the State as the Spouse of an EU National who was exercising their EU Treaty Rights in this State. This permission to remain was valid until 24th January 2012. This permission was not renewed as the person concerned failed to submit satisfactory evidence of the EU citizen, exercising his EU Treaty Rights in the State for a continuous period of five years. The person concerned was notified of this decision by letter dated 9th July 2012. The matter is now being considered by INIS under Regulation 20 of the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons Regulations) 2006 and 2008. All information and documentation on file will be fully considered in advance of final decisions being made.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Naturalisation Eligibility

Questions (74)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

74. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding eligibility for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 7; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44657/14]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

Since 1st January 2005, the entitlement to Irish citizenship of persons born on the island of Ireland to non-national parents is governed by sections 6A and 6B of the Irish Nationality & Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. The Act states that a person born in the island of Ireland shall not be entitled to be an Irish citizen unless a parent of that person has, during the period of 4 years immediately preceding the person’s birth, been resident in the island of Ireland for a period of not less than 3 years or periods the aggregate of which is not less than 3 years.

The Act also provides that the Minister may, in her absolute discretion, grant an application for a certificate of naturalisation provided certain statutory conditions are fulfilled. The conditions are that the applicant must -

- be of full age or be a minor born in the State

- be of good character

- have had a period of one year's continuous residency in the State immediately before the date of application and, during the eight years immediately preceding that period, have had a total residence in the State amounting to four years

- intend in good faith to continue to reside in the State after naturalisation

- have, before a judge of the District Court in open court, in a citizenship ceremony or in such manner as the Minister, for special reasons, allows—

(i) made a declaration, in the prescribed manner, of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State, and

(ii) undertaken to faithfully observe the laws of the State and to respect its democratic values.

The parent or guardian or person who is in loco parentis to a child born in the State who did not at birth have an entitlement to Irish citizenship may apply for a certificate of naturalisation on their behalf using Form 11, which is available on the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service website at www.inis.gov.ie.

The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Residency Permits

Questions (75)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

75. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44659/14]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that the person concerned was granted legal residency in the state under Family Reunification on 27 October 2010.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Residency Permits

Questions (76)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

76. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure for regularisation of residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44661/14]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned should be advised to make an application to the Residence Division in INIS regarding their situation.

Queries in relation to the status of or advice on individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Citizenship Applications

Questions (77)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

77. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current and expected residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44662/14]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that a valid application for a certificate of naturalisation has been received from the person referred to by the Deputy. This application has entered the final stage of processing and I intend to grant citizenship. A letter has issued requesting the person concerned to submit the prescribed fee and other documents. When the fee and documentation are received, an invitation will be issued to attend a citizenship ceremony, at which the person concerned will make a declaration of fidelity to the Irish Nation and loyalty to the State and receive his certificate of naturalisation.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Residency Permits

Questions (78)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

78. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure to be followed to regularise residency status in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44663/14]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the persons referred to by the Deputy were registered for the first time in the State on 05/10/2012 as students. If it is the situation, as the Deputy states, that they were here working for several years, it would appear to be the case that they were here without the appropriate permission and were residing illegally in the State before they were registered.

As the persons referred to are now resident in the State as non-EEA Students, they are subject to the student immigration rules as set out under the "new immigration regime for full time non-EEA students" which was published in September 2010 and has been in effect since 1 January 2011. These rules stipulate that non-EEA nationals may reside in Ireland as students, subject to the provisions of the new regime, for a maximum period of seven years. A maximum of three years student residence is permitted for courses at non degree level.

If the persons concerned remain within the relevant three year (for non degree courses) or seven year (for degree courses, where there is academic progression) maximum timeframe set out above, a further Stamp 2 may be granted to the persons mentioned provided that they are engaged in courses that are listed on the Internationalisation Register operated by the Department of Education and Skills.

Queries in relation to the status of or advice on individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Naturalisation Eligibility

Questions (79)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

79. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding residency status/eligibility for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 1; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44664/14]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned was registered as a Student in the State from 15/01/2007 to 08/06/2014.

All non-EEA students resident in the State are subject to the student immigration rules set out under the "new immigration regime for full time non-EEA students" which was published in September 2010 and has been in effect since 1 January 2011. These rules stipulate that non-EEA nationals may reside in Ireland as students, subject to the provisions of the new regime, for a maximum period of seven years. Three years are permitted at non degree level. The person referred to by the Deputy arrived in the State at the end of 2006 and has now accumulated 7 years as a student. As such they do not qualify for Stamp 4 status. They are advised to look at the "student pathway" on the Department's website www.inis.gov.ie to see whether there are any post study pathways available to them. A letter to this effect issued to this person on 24 July 2014.

Queries in relation to the status of or advice on individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Asylum Applications

Questions (80)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

80. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding residency in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 2; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44665/14]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that in response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned has submitted written representations. These representations, together with all other information and documentation on file, will be fully considered, under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and Section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) on the prohibition of refoulement, in advance of a final decision being made.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.