asked the Minister for Justice if he will state (a) the number of nationals of Soviet Russia permitted to enter this country for the six months ended 31st March, 1932, and the 30th September, 1932; (b) whether such persons coming from Great Britain or Northern Ireland are required to comply with the alien laws and, if not, whether there are any records of such persons entering the country; and (c) whether any permits to reside for specified periods have been issued to any such persons, whether coming direct from Soviet Russia or from other countries and, if so, what are the grounds for the issue of such permits.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Permits for Soviet Nationals.
The records of my Department show:—(a) that during the six months ended 31st March, 1932, one Russian was permitted to land and during the six months ended 30th September, 1932, none was landed. These figures refer to aliens not coming via Great Britain or Northern Ireland; (b) aliens arriving in Saorstát Eireann from Great Britain or Northern Ireland are not inspected by our Immigration Officers. The Regulations on the subject are contained in Article 1 (4) of the Aliens Order, 1925. Accordingly full figures of such arrivals are not available. Such aliens are, however, bound to comply with the law regarding registration and, where they intend to take up employment, the consent of the Minister for Industry and Commerce must be obtained. There are records in my Department of the arrival of ten Russians from Great Britain during the six months ended 31st March, 1932, and fifteen for the six months ended the 30th September, 1932; (c) three permits to reside for specified times were granted—in one case for a visit and in the other two for employment. Employment permits were issued in these two cases by the Department of Industry and Commerce on the usual grounds that Irish nationals were not available for the posts.