Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 December 2020
121. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 180 of 25 November 2020, the number of deportation orders issued by month from 1 March to date in 2020 including the list of countries they refer to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40518/20]
View answer122. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the number of deportation orders issued by month in 2019 including the countries they refer to; the number of deportation orders issued in January and February 2020 respectively including the countries they refer to; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40519/20]
View answer125. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 180 of 25 November 2020, of the 469 deportation orders issued since the outbreak of Covid-19 in March 2020, the number effected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40561/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 121, 122 and 125 together.
Of the 469 Deportation Orders issued since the outbreak of COVID-19 in March 2020, there has only been one case where the person was deported from the State. Three further deportations have been enforced since March 2020. However, in each of these three cases, the deportation order issued prior to March 2020.
The enforcement of Deportation Orders is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). However, I can assure the Deputy that both my own Department and the GNIB are taking a pragmatic approach in relation to the enforcement of Deportation Orders during the current COVID-19 pandemic. This is evidenced by the low number of deportations actually carried out during this time.
A detailed consideration of all aspects of a person's case will have been carried out before a decision is made to grant permission to remain in the State or to make a Deportation Order. This includes a full consideration of their private and family rights in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights as well as consideration of their work situation, among other issues. If a Deportation Order is subsequently made, Section 3 (11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) allows an Order to be amended or revoked by making a request to me as Minister for Justice. I encourage people to be as detailed as possible in their representations to me and my Department so that we can make fully informed decisions at the appropriate time.
