asked the Minister for Justice if he will state exactly what classes of persons who were hitherto allowed free entry into this country will now be affected by the new orders made by him with effect from 1st July; whether these orders were made by him at the request of the British Government; and what machinery will now be set up for the enforcing of these orders.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Enforcement of Immigration Orders.
32.
The text of the Aliens (Amendment) Order, 1962, has been laid on the Table of the House and there is attached to it an explanatory note.
The position, briefly, is that all citizens of Commonwealth countries, except persons born in Great Britain or Northern Ireland, are affected to the extent that, while they will continue to have free access when coming from Great Britain or Northern Ireland, they will be subject to a form of immigration control when coming from other places abroad.
We were not requested by the British Government to do so but the necessity to make this Order arose from recent British legislation. There is complete freedom of movement of persons between this country and Britain and in order to preserve that position it was essential that we should have power to refuse admission to this country to any person seeking to come here for the purpose of taking advantage of the right of free movement in order to secure admission to Britain where the circumstances are such that he would not be admitted to Britain if he had travelled direct to that country.
The enforcement of the Order will be undertaken by Immigration Officers who are already employed on very similar duties in relation to the admission of aliens generally.
Would the Minister give further details about the form of control which he says will be imposed on those who enter this country from Commonwealth countries, as distinct from Britain and the Six Counties? Will the Minister further state if it will be necessary to consult with the British Government in the examination of the credentials of any person from one of the Commonwealth countries who wants to enter this country?
No. There will be no necessity to consult with the British Government. The Order clearly sets out the categories of persons who will be admitted. The control will be exercised by the immigration officials at the various ports, just as it is exercised at the moment in relation to the general body of aliens.
Will the Minister say what will be the determining factor in not allowing an alien from one of these countries to enter here?
There is no such thing as a determining factor. The Order sets out quite clearly the categories of people who are affected by it and the categories who will be permitted to enter freely, without any restriction at all. It is all set out clearly in the Order, which I suggest the Deputy might read.