Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 24 Oct 2001

Vol. 542 No. 6

Written Answers. - Immigration Agreements.

Brendan Howlin

Ceist:

258 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the nature of the agreement on immigration matters with the Federal Republic of Nigeria signed in August 2001; the reason the text of that agreement has not been placed in the Oireachtas Library and cannot be accessed by members of the public; when the text of the agreement will be made available; when this matter will come before the Oireachtas for ratification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25409/01]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue):

I refer the Deputy to my replies to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 23 of 12 April, 2001, 143 and 162 of 3 October, 2001 and, in particular, 503 of 1 May, 2001, in response to which I have previously outlined the main provisions of the Agreement on Immigration Matters with the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The agreement will replace the present ad-hoc arrangements with the Nigerian authorities for the return of their nationals who are residing illegally in the State and will provide an agreed logistical mechanism and structured framework for this purpose.

The text of the agreement will be deposited in the Oireachtas Library shortly. In accordance with constitutional requirements, the terms of the agreement must be approved by the House for it to be binding on the State. I will table the necessary motion in the House in the near future. The allocation of time for consideration of the motion will then be a matter for agreement between the Whips.