Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
916. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice if she will clarify whether there are states or territories that have refused to readmit persons who were the subject of a deportation order in this State; if she will identify these locations; the number of refusals to readmit such persons that have occurred from 2011 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28055/23]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that deportation and removal processes are an essential part of any immigration system. It must be acknowledged that those who do not have a legal right to remain in this country must remove themselves from the State. A person subject to a Deportation Order has no legal basis to remain in the State. Their case to remain in the State has been considered in detail and all available appeals processes have been exhausted.
When issued with a deportation order, a person is required to remove themselves from the State. Many people comply in this manner and leave the country, often without notifying the immigration authorities that they have done so. 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 people to their home country. The exercise of powers in this area is at all times subject to the law and to respect for individual rights.
There may be a range of reasons why it can be difficult to obtain the cooperation of individual states in these matters; by way of example, in recent years some states had in place precautionary measures relating to COVID 19 that inhibited removals. Where Ireland is experiencing a difficulty in removing individuals, it is the policy of the Immigration Services to engage with the jurisdiction in question, whether by way of interaction with the relevant embassy of that state in Ireland or with the network of Irish Embassies and missions through the Department of Foreign Affairs. I would further note that the number of states with whom Ireland experiences such difficulties is minimal.
I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that, in the interests of ensuring as effective a deportation process as possible, I do not think it is appropriate to publicly identify states with whom Ireland is having a difficulty in this regard. On balance, it is preferable that Ireland continues to engage with these states diplomatically and through EU channels. It has been my Department's experience that working bilaterally with such states can assist in bringing resolutions to such difficulties.
