Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 May 2017
99. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the current residency status in the case of a person (detail supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21569/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that they have received no application from the person concerned. It seems that this person entered the State as a visitor in June 2007 and has remained in the State illegally since July 2007.
This person should be aware that it is unlawful 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 person in question does not 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 in INIS without delay and to include their current address, an outline of their history in the State, a copy of the birth certificate for the person's child, and a full copy of their passport or passports issued to either of them 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. In the cases of persons who are illegally present in the State they should always be advised to make an application to INIS.
