Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 February 2023
36. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice if his attention has been drawn to the fact that over 5,000 persons arrived at Dublin airport in 2022 with no documentation or invalid documentation; the steps he will take to address this issue; the reason his Department does not record people under the age of 16 or minors as part of this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7544/23]
View answerThe Border Management Unit (BMU) of my Department has responsibility for frontline immigration duties at Dublin Airport only. Other ports of entry are the responsibility of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).
Immigration officials conduct passport checks on arrival to ensure all passengers are properly documented in accordance with Section 11 of the Immigration Act 2004.
11.— (1) Every person (other than a person under the age of 16 years) landing in the State shall be in possession of a valid passport or other equivalent document, issued by or on behalf of an authority recognised by the Government, which establishes his or her identity and nationality.
As such, minors are not included in the overall refusal of leave to land figures or statistics on those that arrive without travel documents. It should be noted that the significant majority of individuals presenting without documentation are adults and that where any concerns in relation to a minor arises the matter is referred to Tusla.
Immigration Officials are actively engaging with airport authorities and airlines at a senior level to underscore the importance of passengers possessing correct documentation and to provide support in helping them to reduce the number of passengers boarding flights without the correct documentation.
The Border Management Unit and the GNIB are working closely with airlines on a range of measures to ensure that passengers have such documentation when boarding. Border Management Unit officials are available 24/7 to assist airlines with queries they have in relation to immigration matters.
If a person cannot produce a valid passport, or other equivalent document, then the Immigration Officer will arrange for the person to be referred to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). Where a person without documentation wishes to make an application for International Protection that application will be processed in line with the provisions of the International protection Act 2015.
The establishment of a person’s identity and nationality is an important feature of our immigration process. This is especially important in the context of persons who enter the Irish State for the purposes of making a claim for international protection.
