Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 December 2016
47. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if and when long-term residency status may be granted in the case of persons (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39214/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the spouse of the first person mentioned entered the State on 10th February 2007 and never registered after being landed at the port of entry and that the first person mentioned by the Deputy was only ever registered for short periods of time in the State.
I wish to advise the Deputy that the Residence Division of INIS does not currently have any applications in respect of either of the persons mentioned. It appears that the persons concerned do not, therefore, have permission to remain in the State, and they should be aware that it is illegal for them under the Immigration Act 2004 to reside in the State without permission from the Minister for Justice and Equality. A person found guilty of such an offence is liable, under section 13 of the Immigration Act of 2004, to a fine not exceeding €3,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both. As the persons in question do not have immigration permission to remain in the State, they are not entitled to work. Against this background, the persons concerned should attend their local Garda National Immigration Bureau Office as soon as may be.
The Deputy may wish to note that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in questions where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
