Finian McGrath
Ceist:206. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality what exactly is Ireland’s position on criminals from abroad operating here and are there restrictions on them. [18203/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 18 April 2013
Ceisteanna (206)
Freagraí scríofa
I am not clear from the Deputy's question whether he has a specific incident in mind but I can assure him that any person residing in or visiting the state who is alleged to have committed a criminal offence in the jurisdiction will be made amenable to and subject to the laws of the State.
I can also inform the Deputy that under section 4 of the Immigration Act 2004 an immigration officer may refuse to give permission to enter the State under certain circumstances, including where the non-national has been convicted of an offence that may be punished under the law of the place of conviction by imprisonment for a period of one year or by a more severe penalty. A non-national may also be refused permission to land or be in the State, if an immigration officer has reason to believe that the non-national’s entry into, or presence in the State, could pose a threat to national security or be contrary to public policy and also where there is reason to believe that a non-national intends to enter the State for purposes other than that expressed by him/her.
Furthermore, where any person who is not a citizen of Ireland or the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, who is resident in the State, is known or suspected to have engaged in criminal activity, An Garda Síochána may provide relevant information to the Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service (INIS) for the purpose of consideration being given to initiating a process for the purpose of arranging for their removal from the State pursuant to section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 or, if the person is an EU national, pursuant to Regulation 20 of the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons) Regulations 2006.