Written Answers. - Foreign Police Officers.
Brendan Howlin
Ceist:
184
Mr. Howlin
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
if, further to media reports (details supplied) in May 2000 that Romanian police officers would be assigned permanently here to work alongside members of the Garda immigration bureau, he will say when such police officers arrived; the number there were; the functions they were officially defined as discharging; if they are still based here; if not, when they left; and the justification there was at that time for agreeing to their being assigned on a permanent basis.
[5280/01]
Brendan Howlin
Ceist:
185
Mr. Howlin
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
if discussions have taken place with states, other than Romania, regarding the possible stationing of members of their police here for immigration and asylum purposes; if so, with which states; the length of time in this regard; if it is planned to have police from any other country stationed here for immigration and asylum purposes within the next year; and if so, from which country.
[5281/01]
Brendan Howlin
Ceist:
186
Mr. Howlin
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
the places at which Irish immigration officials, whether gardaí or otherwise, are stationed outside the State for the purpose of controlling immigration; if, in each case, this is done on the basis of formal or informal agreements with the host country; and if it is intended to station bureau members in other extra-territorial embarkation points in the future.
[5282/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 184 to 186, inclusive, together.
During the course of discussions relating to the conclusion of a re-admission agreement with the Government of Romania, it was decided that two Romanian officials, one from the Romanian police service and one from its immigration service, would be seconded to Dublin to work with our immigration authorities. The officials in question arrived in Ireland on 3 September 2000. The primary function of the Romanian officials was to establish effective liaison arrangements between both jurisdictions, with particular regard to trafficking in human beings. The officers in question left the State on 3 December 2000 but the contacts established are being maintained. In the context of that ongoing co-operation, it is intended that further assignments of Romanian officials will be considered as the need arises hav ing regard to operational requirements at the time in question.
At present it is not the intention to enter into similar arrangements with other non-EEA states but the possibility of doing so will also be kept under ongoing review, again having regard to any operational requirements that may arise in the future.
In so far as the assignment of Irish officials abroad is concerned the position is that the Government, as part of a number of measures agreed in relation to asylum, refugee and immigration matters, approved the strengthening of Garda international liaison arrangements through the placing of Garda liaison officers in the Irish embassies in London and Paris. The officers, who will very shortly take up their assignments, will interact with local law enforcement authorities on immigration matters generally but with particular reference to the combating of trafficking activity. A formal agreement was not necessary in the case of either assignment.
The role of the officers in question is solely a liaison one and does not involve their participation in the direct operation of immigration controls outside the jurisdiction. It is not proposed to appoint officers to operate immigration controls outside the jurisdiction, although members of the Garda national immigration bureau will continue, where appropriate, to provide informal advice to carriers who request assistance, including in connection with the application of document checks at points of embarkation outside the State.
Question No. 187 answered with Question No. 157.
