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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 17 Apr 1991

Vol. 407 No. 1

Written Answers. - Irish Emigrants in Australia.

Dinny McGinley

Ceist:

53 Mr. McGinley asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties being experienced by undocumented Irish emigrants in Australia; if he intends to initiate discussions with the Austrailian Government with a view to alleviating their difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The Government are continuing to give a high priority to the problems of Irish emigrants, particularly those who are in an undocumented situation. In the case of Australia, the embassy at Canberra has been instructed to offer all appropriate assistance and advice to Irish citizens who may have overstayed the validity period of their visa and who may wish to regularise their situation. The embassy also keeps in contact and works closely with Irish organisations and associations in Austrialia to ensure that the difficulties facing all our emigrants are kept to a minimum.

In the context of the recent introduction of new Australian regulations, I am aware of reports of some difficulties being experienced by Irish citizens who have remained in Australia beyond the validity period of their visas. The regulations in question were introduced specifically to address the overstay problem.
The embassy at Canberra has informed me that the implementation of the new regulations on overstayers has caused some increase in the number of Irish overstayers coming to the notice of the Australian authorities but the increase has not been significant. I have asked the embassy to continue to monitor closely this matter and to report on any developments.
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