Gerry Reynolds
Ceist:106 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason he has not replied to correspondence sent to him regarding the Refugee Act, 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15089/97]
Written Answers. - Departmental Correspondence.
I am not sure to what correspondence the Deputy is referring. I can assure him, however, that all correspondence is responded to by my office.
Paul McGrath
Ceist:107 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of applications for residency permits per country received in his Department from citizens of EU member states in each of the past five years; the numbers which were made successful per country; the reason for the rejection of some of those applications, if applicable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15090/97]
Paul McGrath
Ceist:108 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the conditions under which EU citizens can take up residency in Ireland; if similar conditions apply to Irish citizens taking up residency in other EU member states; and if citizens of all member states seeking residency in Ireland are treated equally. [15091/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 107 and 108 together.
The treaty establishing the European Community, as amended by the Treaty on European Union, provides that every person holding the nationality of a member state shall have the right to move and to reside freely within the territory of the member states, subject to the limitations and conditions laid down in the Treaty and by the measures adopted to give it effect. The rights of free movement of those engaged in economic activity are conferred by the EEC Treaty itself while secondary European legislation — i.e. directives adopted by Council — confers such rights on those who are not, or have not been, economically active.
The right of free movement are subject to limitations justified on grounds of public policy, public security or public health. In addition, the rights conferred by secondary European legislation on non-economically active persons are subject to the conditions that the individuals relying on them must have enough resources to avoid becoming a burden on the social welfare system of the host State, and they must have appropriate health insurance. The domestic regulations to give effect to the provisions on the rights of free movement and residence are set out in the European Communities (Aliens) Regulations, 1977 (No. 393 of 1977) and the European Communities (Rights of Residential for Non-Economically Active Persons) Regulations, 1997 (No. 57 of 1997).
The numbers of residence permits issued to nationals of EU member states in each of the last five years is set out in the following tabular statement. The number of applications refused is not readily available. However, I would emphasise that the exercise of the rights in question is not subject to the issue of a residence permit which is merely a means of proof and not a condition of entitlement to live in an EU member state. It is the case, therefore, that the numbers of residence permits issued does not necessarily reflect, for example, the numbers of EU nationals exercising their rights to reside here.
EU Residence Permits Issued
|
1996 |
1995 |
1994 |
1993 |
1992 |
|
|
Austria |
9 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
3 |
|
Belgium |
12 |
9 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
|
Denmark |
9 |
6 |
10 |
6 |
2 |
|
Finland |
3 |
2 |
– |
– |
– |
|
France |
55 |
25 |
21 |
20 |
10 |
|
Germany |
111 |
41 |
61 |
43 |
20 |
|
Italy |
14 |
8 |
10 |
13 |
9 |
|
Netherlands |
75 |
35 |
48 |
26 |
21 |
|
Portugal |
5 |
– |
2 |
– |
– |
|
Spain |
12 |
7 |
6 |
4 |
5 |
|
Sweden |
27 |
14 |
10 |
7 |
10 |
|
UK (not UK born) |
9 |
2 |
1 |
– |
– |
|
Luxembourg |
– |
1 |
1 |
– |
– |
|
Greece |
2 |
– |
1 |
– |
– |
|
Total |
343 |
156 |
183 |
129 |
81 |