Thomas Pringle
Question:1502. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice the role of Ireland within FRONTEX; the future role of Ireland in relation to participation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39777/22]
View answerTuesday, 26 July 2022
Questions (1502)
Written answers
Frontex is the European Border and Coast Guard Agency related to the implementation of the Schengen Area. One of its responsibilities relates to assisting Member States in the return of people to their home countries who have exhausted all legal avenues to be allowed to stay within the EU.
During the pandemic a humane approach to the enforcement of deportation orders was taken by the Department and the Garda National Immigration Bureau. Deportation orders were not enforced, except in cases where an individual would be considered a threat to national security, or whose presence in Ireland would be contrary to the public interest.
With the lifting of public health restrictions and a return to more normal travel, it must be acknowledged that those who do not have a legal right to remain in this country must return to their own country, following fair procedure and having gone through all available avenues for appeal. Many people already do this voluntarily and are assisted by the Department and other organisations, such as the International Organization for Migration, where appropriate.
However, where a person does not voluntarily return to their own country, Ireland like all other EU Member States, puts in place arrangements to return persons to their home country. Those arrangements will resume in 2022.
The removal of people from Ireland who do not have a legal right to remain in the country is carried out by commercial or charter flights. Charter flights are carried out on a national level or jointly with other European countries.
Ireland is not a member of Frontex and does not make payments to the agency. However, Ireland can participate in Joint Return Operations (JROs) coordinated by Frontex on behalf of EU Member States.
Ireland is not be involved directly in Frontex land/sea operations, as these activities are carried out by the Frontex Standing Corps. However, Ireland has agreed to participate in the area of training, particularly in document expertise.
My Department has set aside €328,000 for 2022 to allow Ireland to participate in meetings, workshops and training.
Some funding has also been set aside to allow Ireland to lead on a JRO as the Organising Member State (OMS). Where Ireland is the OMS, we offer seats to Participating Member States (PMS) in Frontex, as we benefit from participating in Frontex led JROs and then reciprocate the seats provided to us.