asked the Minister for Justice the attitude of the Government to the position of Pieter Menten who owns an estate in Leamybrien, County Waterford; and if he will be permitted to enter this country to reside on his Irish property.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pieter Menten Estate.
2.
The question of a Government attitude to a particular person would arise only if the Government had some function to discharge in relation to that person. That is not the case, at all events at present, in relation to the person named. The question of his being permitted, or not being permitted, to return to this country is entirely hypothetical and, in accordance with long-established practice, I would not be prepared to make any statement about it. In case it should be thought that the normal rules about not commenting publicly about the affairs of identifiable persons should not apply to a person whose affairs have been the subject of so much public comment, I think it right to add that the fact that this man's case is before the courts of another country is an added reason for not commenting.
Is the Minister aware that this person, who is an alien, owns an estate in this country?
I am.
Would the Minister accept, therefore, that it would be necessary to have some Government decision as to whether this person would be classified as an undesirable alien in the event of his atempting to come to reside on his Irish estate?
I repeat for the Deputy that the question raised by him is entirely hypothetical. In accordance with long-established practice I am not prepared to make any statement on the matter at present.
Question No. 3.
I cannot see how the question is hypothetical in view of the fact that the person exists and the estate which he owns in County Waterford also exists. Has the Minister given any thought to the security problem which may arise in this country in the event of this person coming to reside on his Irish property?
I assure the Deputy and the House that if and when a decision has been made on this issue, full consideration will be given to all the circumstances at the time.
What is meant by it being a hypothetical question? The position with regard to aliens is that there exists a list of people who are regarded as undesirable. This list is held by all immigration officers and if those people arrive at an airport or other place of entry they are refused entry. This man's name either is on such a list or is not. The question of whether he is on such a list is not hypothetical; it is an actual question. The Minister may not wish to disclose whether his name is on that list, but it is not a hypothetical question. Is the Minister willing to say whether that man's name is on that list?
I believe the Deputy's supplementary question is based on a misconception on his part.
What misconception, I would be happy to know?
The existence of a particular list.
Is there an application for this man for entry into this country?
Question No. 3.
I have asked a question and I am waiting for an answer.
It is at the discretion of the Chair that a Deputy is permitted to ask a question. I have asked for Question No. 3.
I have asked Deputy Collins——
The question must be asked through the Chair, not directly of the Minister.
I am asking the Deputy through the Chair, has he applied?
I have no knowledge of an application being made by the person in question.
Am I right in saying that if such a person applied for a visa it would be communicated to the Minister? He is an international figure, not Jack Soap. Surely the Minister is trying to be evasive. Did he or did he not apply?
I am not trying to be evasive in any way. I have no knowledge of an application being made by the person in question.
Is it not the case that if he does not require a visa he could arrive in this country and if no instructions have been issued he could enter and the Government would have to make a subsequent decision about deportation? Is this not something that the Government should intelligently anticipate?
The question as to whether or not the person named in Deputy O'Keeffe's question will be allowed to enter the country will be decided upon when the time arises.
Does the Minister mean, when he reaches the airport?
Question No. 3.