Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 May 2017
101. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure to be followed to regularise residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21572/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that they have no record of the person named by the Deputy.
From the limited information provided, it appears that the person concerned may never have had permission to remain in the State, and they should be aware that under section 5 of the Immigration Act, 2004 it is unlawful for a non-national to be in the State other than in accordance with the terms of any permission given by the Minister for Justice and Equality. A person who contravenes such a requirement may have committed an offence and if found guilty 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 person in question does not appear to have immigration permission to remain in the State, they are not entitled to work. Against this background, they should be advised to write to Unit 2 Residence Division INIS without delay and to include their current address, an outline of their history in the State, and a full copy of their passport or passports since their arrival in the State.
Might I remind the Deputy, 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.
