Vol. 563 No. 2
153 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the report produced by the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism, which found that net operations such as Operation Hyphen are both inefficient and counterproductive and should not be continued; his views on the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7327/03]
I have noted the recent report of the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism. There is an obligation on the State, as there is on all states, to effectively regulate the arrangements which apply to non-nationals seeking to enter or to remain on our territory. This is central to achieving the correct balance in ensuring, on the one hand, that the integrity, security and authority of the State and its economic and social fabric are protected and, on the other, that the rights and interests of immigrants are upheld. The migration of increasingly large numbers of persons from widely diver gent social and economic backgrounds must be managed in a structured, transparent and legally sound manner to enable the State to derive maximum benefit from global migratory trends and to ensure fair treatment of the persons concerned. The arrangements that are in place to service the needs of our immigrant community must facilitate their integration in a way which acknowledges mutual obligations for both new immigrants and Irish society.
In addition of course, Ireland must, as a fundamental expression of its humanitarian ideals, afford protection to refugees and fair consideration, accommodation and sustenance to those claiming persecution until those claims have been determined. The Government's policy regarding asylum and immigration matters is that it is committed to providing protection to refugees and the application of fair procedures in accordance with law to all immigrants both legal and illegal.
The Garda Síochána are charged with the enforcement of immigration law in this jurisdiction. While enforcement is not the only feature of policy in relation to immigration it is nonetheless an important element. I think it is fair to say that no system can operate on a basis of non enforcement of its core principles. Accordingly, it is a matter for the Garda authorities to determine the initiatives necessary to ensure compliance with immigration law.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that they consider that Operation Hyphen was a success in that a number of people wanted for deportation were apprehended, a number were charged with offences before the District Court and a number who were here illegally are believed to have left the State voluntarily. As a result of the operation there has been a dramatic increase in the number of non-EEA nationals registering at the Garda National Immigration Bureau and at local Garda registration offices as they are required to do under the provisions of the Aliens Order 1946, as amended.
