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Covid-19 Pandemic

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021

Wednesday, 24 March 2021

Questions (1501)

Darren O'Rourke

Question:

1501. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who arrived into Ireland without proof of a negative Covid-19 PCR test in January, February and to date in March 2021; the number of sanctions imposed for these breaches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14449/21]

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Written answers

In accordance with S.I. 44/2021 and S.I. 45/2021, travellers arriving into Ireland from overseas are required to complete a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form, to present evidence of a negative pre-departure RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of arrival and to observe mandatory quarantine.

Checks of evidence of a negative/not detected RT- PCR Covid-19 test on all arriving passengers into the State are carried out by Immigration Officials of the Border Management Unit and An Garda Síochána at ports of entry to the State. All cases where a test result is not available, or where the authenticity of the test result documentation is queried, are referred for further investigation to An Garda Síochána who have a presence at all approved ports of entry to the State.

The Department of Justice has reported high rates of compliance with the requirement to present proof of a negative / non-detected RT-PCR test result at points of entry to Ireland.

Passengers who arrive in an Irish port or airport without evidence of a negative/not detected test result or with a confirmed fraudulent test result will commit an offence and may be subject to prosecution, punishable by a fine not exceeding €2,500 and/or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months, or both. In such cases An Garda Síochána will prepare a file for the Director of Public Prosecutions.

The Health (Amendment) Act 2021 enacted on 7th March will require travellers arriving without a ‘non-detected’ PCR test result in the previous 72 hours, as currently required, to enter quarantine until a not-detected test result is returned.

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