Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:143. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the steps she will take to assist a person (details supplied) living here to renew their passport. [22032/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 9 May 2017
Ceisteanna (143)
Freagraí scríofa
I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person mentioned by the Deputy entered the State in March 2012 and registered directly at the GNIB Office towards the end of March 2012 for permission to remain in the State as the spouse of an Irish National. This permission expired on 28 December 2016.
The person concerned should write to Spouse of Irish National Unit, P.O. Box 12695, Dublin 2 requesting renewal of their permission and they should provide details of their extenuating circumstances regarding the renewal of their passport. 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.
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 Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.