Immigration Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 July 2023

Tuesday, 25 July 2023

Questions (837)

Carol Nolan

Question:

837. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the measures her Department is taking to fulfil the statutory obligation to return a person refused entry permission to the State as soon as is practicable; if, where a person is refused leave to land at an airport, the priority is to return them on the next available return flight to the last point of embarkation; the number of times persons have been returned on the next available flight during the period 2011 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36301/23]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

The State has a duty to protect its borders and following examination, ensure that all arriving passengers are entitled to enter the State. This is a fundamental exercise of State sovereignty, which is necessary to protect the security of the State and to prevent illegal immigration. The exercise of powers in this area is at all times subject to the law and to respect for individual rights.

The 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).

When a person is refused leave to land at Dublin airport, the Immigration Officer will arrange for the person to be referred to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) for removal from the State. 

I have sought the information requested from the Garda Commissioner and I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51.

As you will recall, I sought the information you requested and undertook to contact you again once the information was to hand. I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from the Garda Commissioner, and the GNIB do not record the information as requested by Deputy. Arrangements for the removal of persons refused permission to enter the State are operational matters for the GNIB who work closely with civilian Immigration Officers on these matters. There is a statutory obligation to return a person refused entry and that Immigration Officers (both Garda and Border Management Unit) take all available measures to comply with the statutory obligation to return an inadmissible person to the port of embarkation as soon as is practicable.

I can also confirm to the Deputy that Immigration detention facilities have been operational at the Dublin Airport Garda Station (Transaer House building) since 1 March 2022. This allows for up to four passengers refused leave to land to be detained for up to 24 hours within the boundary of the airport, enabling their return for outbound flights without delay.