Written Answers Nos. 830-849
830. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prison clerical officers employed by the Prison Service currently; the number employed in each prison; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28229/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Irish Prison Service that the total number of permanent Prison Clerical Officers employed by the Irish Prison Service, as at 31 May 2017, is 86. The breakdown is contained in the table below.
|
Location |
Number of PCOs |
|
Cloverhill |
12 |
|
Wheatfield |
5 |
|
Mountjoy |
14 |
|
Portlaoise |
3 |
|
Midlands |
13 |
|
Arbour Hill |
2 |
|
Castlerea |
7 |
|
Cork |
8 |
|
Limerick |
7 |
|
Loughan |
3 |
|
Shelton |
2 |
|
Prison Service Escort Corps |
2 |
|
Operational Support Group |
1 |
|
Central Purchasing Unit |
4 |
|
Building Services Division |
1 |
|
Irish Prison Service College |
2 |
|
Total |
86 |
831. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason prison clerical officers do not receive a rent allowance payment as other Prison Service employees receive; if he envisages a policy change in regard to providing this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28230/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that rent allowance is payable to serving members of An Garda Síochána, Firefighters and Prison Officers. Prison Clerical Officers are employed in line with the general Civil Service Clerical Officer grade and associated terms and conditions of employment, and as such would not receive rent allowance.
832. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps the Government is taking to ensure that Ireland complies with its international legal responsibilities regarding judicial corruption relative to Article II of the UN convention against corruption; if legislation or regulations will be introduced to prevent an organisation (details supplied) from mandatorily making a Superior Court judge a bencher upon taking the judicial seal of office or that would prohibit serving judges from being members of a society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28240/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe relevant Article of the Convention to which the Deputy refers also refers to the taking of measures which would include rules with respect to the conduct of members of the Judiciary. I am happy to inform the Deputy that the Judicial Council Bill was published on 1 June 2017. This Bill envisages both the establishment of a Judicial Council and a Judicial Conduct Committee. The function of the Judicial Conduct Committee, which will have a number of members who are not judges, will be to promote and maintain high standards of conduct among judges. One of the tasks of the Judicial Conduct Committee will be, not later than 12 months after its establishment, to prepare and submit draft guidelines concerning judicial conduct and ethics for adoption by the Judicial Council. The Committee will also have a role in providing advice to an individual judge or to judges generally on these matters.
At present, under the Prevention of Corruption Acts, 1889 to 2010, Irish judges are included in a list of public officials to which certain corruption offences apply. These offences include the corruption in office offence under section 8 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act 2001, as well as the offences of general active and passive corruption under section 2 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act 2001 and section 2 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act 2010. Penalties for these offences include a term of imprisonment up to 10 years and/or an unlimited fine upon conviction.
In addition to the current statutory provisions, I will shortly bring forward new legislation that will repeal the Prevention of Corruption Acts 1889 to 2010 and replace and expand upon the offences and presumptions contained in those Acts. The Criminal Justice (Corruption Offences) Bill will provide for significant terms of imprisonment, unlimited fines and additional penalties including forfeiture of, and exclusion from, office in the case of certain officials. The Bill will give better effect to the main requirements of a number of international anti-corruption instruments which Ireland has already ratified, including the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.
833. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of a Garda station (details supplied); the number of additional personnel that are being assigned to the station; the area they are coming from; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28270/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and Units and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter. I am informed by the Commissioner that in regard to the deployment of Garda personnel, a distribution model is used which takes into account all relevant factors including population, crime trends and the policing needs of each individual Garda Division. It is the responsibility of the Divisional Officer to allocate personnel within his/her Division.
Cootehill forms part of the Cavan/Monaghan. I am further informed by the Garda Commissioner that the Garda strength of the Cavan/Monaghan Division, on 30 April 2017, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 319, 6 of whom were assigned to Cootehill Garda Station. There are also 13 Garda Reserves and 36 civilians attached to the Division. When appropriate, the work of local Gardaí is supported by a number of Garda national units such as the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau and the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau. I understand that the potential for Cootehill station to cater for additional members is currently under consideration by the Garda authorities.
This Government is committed to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and to deter crime. To make this a reality for all, the Government has in place a plan to achieve an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 Garda members, 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians.
This plan is progressing a pace. This year, funding has been provided for the recruitment of 800 Garda recruits and up to 500 civilians to support the wide ranging reform plan in train in An Garda Síochána. Funding has also been provided for the recruitment of 300 Garda Reserves.
I am informed by the Commissioner, since the reopening of the Garda College in September 2014, that almost 1,000 recruits have attested as members of An Garda Síochána and have been assigned to mainstream duties nationwide, 21 of whom have been assigned to the Cavan/Monaghan Division. I am also informed that another 600 trainee Garda are scheduled to attest this year which will see Garda numbers, taking account of projected retirements, increase to around the 13,500 mark by year end - an increase of 500 since the end of 2016.
This focus on investment in personnel is critical. The moratorium on recruitment introduced in 2010 resulted in a significant reduction in the strength of An Garda Síochána. We are now rebuilding the organisation and providing the Commissioner with the resources she needs to allow her to deploy increasing numbers of Gardaí across every Garda Division, including the Cavan/Monaghan Division in the coming years.
834. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of a new Garda station (details supplied); the stage at which development is at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28272/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that the Office of Public Works (OPW) has primary responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation and works closely with the Garda authorities in this regard. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
You will also be aware that the Garda Capital Investment Programme 2016-2021 which was announced on 21 October 2015 includes the development of a new Garda station at Bailieborough, Co Cavan.
I understand that following consultation between Garda management and the OPW, a site has been identified for the new Garda Station and the OPW advises that it is progressing the legal matters relating to the acquisition of the site. The OPW further advises that, while significant progress has been made on the legal aspects of the acquisition, it is not currently possible to confirm exactly when this process will be completed.
835. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if every member of An Garda Síochána that is required to make an annual declaration under SIPO legislation has done so since the legislation has required them to do so; and the details of this by individual year, rank and name, in tabular form. [28326/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt has not been possible within the time available to compile the information necessary to answer the questions but I will convey the information to the Deputy when it becomes available.
As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána including personnel matters and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to Question 835 for answer on 20 June 2017 where you asked if every member of An Garda Síochána that is required to make an annual declaration under SIPO legislation has done so since the legislation has required them to do so, and the details of this by individual year, rank and name, in tabular form.
As the information you requested could not be obtained within the time available, I undertook to contact you again.
I am advised that in January of each year, all staff who occupy a “designated position” in An Garda Síochána are emailed and informed of their obligations under the Ethics in Public Office Acts. In so far as An Garda Síochána is concerned, occupiers of designated positions relate to all post holders from Deputy Commissioner to Superintendent rank inclusive and from Chief Administrative Officer to Assistant Principal Grade inclusive, in addition to certain post holders at Higher Executive Officer Grade. The Garda Commissioner is required to make an annual return directly to SIPO.
In the eighth edition of the guidelines (August 2010) for public servants on compliance with the Ethics Acts, the Standards Commission withdrew its previous recommendation that, where a person has no interests to disclose, he/she should furnish a 'nil' statement. Where such a person has no interests to disclose, a statement is not legally required.
It is the responsibility of each holder of a designated directorship and occupier of a designated position to ensure they are in compliance with the Ethic Acts.
I hope this is of assistance.
836. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of mutual assistance legal requests received from overseas Governments as part of investigations into money laundering from 2007 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28334/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of mutual assistance requests received from other States arising from criminal investigations recorded as relating to money laundering, from 2007 to 2016 and to date in 2017 is set out in the table below.
|
Year |
Offence |
|
2007 |
29 |
|
2008 |
21 |
|
2009 |
18 |
|
2010 |
27 |
|
2011 |
40 |
|
2012 |
26 |
|
2013 |
37 |
|
2014 |
43 |
|
2015 |
35 |
|
2016 |
27 |
|
2017 (13 June) |
13 |
The Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Act 2008 as amended which came into effect on the 1st of September 2008, was enacted in order to incorporate into Irish law a number of conventions, agreements and protocols in relation to mutual assistance. The Act includes provisions dealing with the procurement of information in relation to financial transactions for criminal investigation purposes and freezing, confiscation and forfeiture of property. Prior to the enactment of the 2008 Act, the Criminal Justice Act, 1994 gave effect to the Council of Europe’s Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters 1959. Part IV of that Act deals with the issue of money laundering.
While every attempt has been made to provide the Deputy with accurate statistics in relation to this matter, it should be noted that many of the criminal investigations giving rise to individual mutual legal assistance requests deal with a multiplicity of criminal activity. Consequently, some requests which may contain a money laundering element may have been classified under a different category of criminal conduct for recording purposes where the latter conduct comprises the primary reason for the making of the request.
837. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current and-or expected residency status, including eligibility to obtain citizenship, in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28363/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the processing of an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy, who currently has permission to reside in the State until 6 August 2018, is under consideration and has not yet reached a conclusion but I understand however that the case is due to be submitted for decision in the near future.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. While most cases are now generally processed within six months, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
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 specifically 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 Questions 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.
838. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure to date and pending in regard to residency in the case of a person (details supplied); if their case to deport can be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28364/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Deportation Order was signed in respect of the person referred to by the Deputy on 13 May 2016. Leave was granted by the High Court on 27 June 2016 to take Judicial Review proceedings seeking to quash the Deportation Order. Accordingly, as the matter is sub judice, I do not propose to comment further. The Deputy may wish to note that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically 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 Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
839. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current and-or expected residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); if the person is eligible to apply for naturalisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28366/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that there is no record of an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy. A determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria attendant to naturalisation can only be made after an application is received.
The records show that the person's permission to reside expired on 13 June 2017. All non-EEA nationals are required to keep their permission to remain in the State up to date at all times and failure to do so may adversely affect an application for a certificate of naturalisation. The individual concerned should apply to the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department to have her permission renewed.
It is open to any individual to lodge an application for citizenship if and when they are in a position to meet the statutory requirements as prescribed in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. Detailed information on Irish citizenship and naturalisation is available on the INIS website at www.inis.gov.ie. The website also contains an on-line naturalisation residency calculator which individuals may find of assistance in establishing if the residency requirements are met.
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 specifically 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 Questions 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.
840. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the residency status and-or expected eligibility in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28367/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Services (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned applied for a right of residency accompanied by a right to work based on their parentage of an Irish citizen child.
I am informed that the person concerned was requested to provide reliable DNA evidence confirming the child's entitlement to Irish citizenship. DNA evidence is requested in circumstances where (i) doubts exist as to a particular child's entitlement to claim Irish citizenship and (ii) doubts exist as to the biological relationship between a child and parent. It is a measure used by INIS, on a regular basis, to ensure that the integrity of the State's immigration system is protected.
The onus is on individual applicants to obtain such DNA evidence in cases where, without it, they cannot satisfy the INIS as to the parentage of an Irish citizen child. While my Department cannot compel any person to obtain DNA evidence to prove parentage of an Irish citizen child, it may refuse to grant a right of residency in circumstances where it is not satisfied as to the child's entitlement to Irish citizenship.
The Deputy will be aware that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically 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 Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
841. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the residency status and-or expected eligibility for long term residency in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28368/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that, in response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), written representations have been submitted on behalf of the person concerned.
These representations, together with all other information and documentation on file, will be fully considered, under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable legislation, in advance of a final decision being made.
The position in relation to the immigration status of Long Term Residency is that, at the date of application, a person applying for such status must have been legally resident in the State for over five years (60 months) on the basis of work permit, work authorisation or working visa conditions and, as such, must have Stamp 1 or Stamp 4 endorsements on their passport during such periods. Given that the person concerned has no current right of residency in the State, they would clearly not be in a position to meet the lawful residency criteria applicable to persons applying to my Department for Long Term Residency status.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically 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 Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
842. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the various stages already undertaken regarding the determination of entitlement to residency in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28371/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the processing of an application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy, who currently has Stamp 4 permission to reside in the State until 10 February 2020, is under consideration and has not yet reached a conclusion.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. While most cases are now generally processed within six months, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
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 specifically 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 Questions 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.
843. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedures followed to date in the determination of eligibility for residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28372/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe International Protection Act, 2015, was commenced on 31 December 2016. Under the Act, a new single application procedure was introduced under which all aspects of a person's claim (asylum, subsidiary protection and permission to remain) are considered together by the International Protection Office (IPO) rather than sequentially as heretofore. The IPO replaced the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC) from the commencement date. The Chief International Protection Officer (CIPO) and the International Protection Officers in the IPO are independent by law in the exercise of their international protection functions. They are also bound by confidentiality provisions in respect of applicants, as set out in Section 26 of the 2015 Act.
If an application for asylum or subsidiary protection has been made in the State, for confidentiality reasons it is not the practice to comment on such applications and the applicant should contact the International Protection Office directly either by email to info@ipo.gov.ie, by telephone to the IPO Customer Service Centre at 01 6028008 or in writing to the Customer Service Centre, International Protection Office, 79-83 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2.
For your information, on 27 February 2017 the Chief International Protection Officer, following consultation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), published a statement on the Prioritisation of Applications for International Protection under the International Protection Act 2015. The IPO statement in relation to the prioritisation of applications is available on their website
(www.ipo.gov.ie).
844. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedure to be followed to regularise status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28373/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that a recent request from the person concerned, based on their changed circumstances, is under consideration.
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 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.
845. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current residency status and potential eligibility for long term residency naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); when the process is likely to be concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28374/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the processing of the application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy, who currently has permission to reside in the State until 9 October 2017, is ongoing and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. While most straightforward cases are generally processed within six months, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
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 specifically 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 Questions 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.
846. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current and expected residency status and the potential eligibility for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28375/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned entered the State on 29 October 2007 and made an asylum application on 14 November 2007. This application was refused, at appeal, on 2 September 2010.
On 11 May 2011, the person concerned made an application for a residence card as a family member of an EU citizen. They asserted at that time that they had married a British citizen in the State on 21 January 2011. Following a consideration of the information and documentation submitted, the person concerned was informed on 10 November 2011 that their application had been granted and that they were to be provided with permission to remain in the State on a Stamp 4EUFam basis.
It subsequently came to light that the spouse of the person concerned was no longer residing in the State, having taken up employment in the United Kingdom. The person concerned was provided with an opportunity to make representations in respect of this matter, and they confirmed that their spouse had been unable to obtain employment in this jurisdiction so had relocated to the United Kingdom. On foot of this, and in light of the fact that the EU citizen was no longer exercising their EU Treaty Rights in the State, the person concerned was informed on 18 October 2016 that their residence card had been revoked.
On 2 November 2016, the person concerned requested a review of this decision. Their representations in this connection have been placed on file, as have several documents submitted in respect of the EU citizen's current situation. The Deputy may be assured that the review of the decision to revoke the permission provided to the person concerned will be considered as soon as possible. The person concerned will be contacted should any further issues arise in respect of their application.
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 specifically 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 Questions 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.
847. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will examine the case for residency entitlement eligibility for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28376/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that, notifications have issued to the persons concerned pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended).
All representations received, together with all other information and documentation on file, will be fully considered, under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable legislation, in advance of a final decision being made.
The Deputy should note that as the persons concerned have no current right of residency in the State, they would not be in a position to meet the lawful residency criteria applicable to persons applying to my Department for a Certificate of Naturalisation.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically 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 Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
848. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of an appeal in respect of a decision to refuse a visa application in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28378/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the application referred to was refused on appeal by the Visa Office in Dublin. The decision was communicated to the sponsor and applicant on 2 June 2017.
It is open to the applicant to submit a fresh visa application at any time. However he should bear in mind the original refusal reasons communicated to him and be in a position to address these in a new application.
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 specifically 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 Questions 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.
849. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which an application for family reunification will be reconsidered in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28379/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned is the subject of a valid Deportation Order made on 20th June, 2002.
The Deputy might wish to note that persons the subject of a Deportation Order are obliged to remove themselves from the State and to remain out of the State.
Representations were received from the person concerned, pursuant to the provisions of section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), requesting that the Deportation Order be revoked. Following the detailed consideration of the information submitted in support of the request, the Deportation Order was affirmed on 25th April, 2016.
Further representations have now been received from the legal representative of the person concerned, again pursuant to the provisions of section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), again requesting the revocation of the Deportation Order. This request will be considered as soon as it is possible to do so. The Deputy might wish to note that the decision to ensue from the consideration of this request will be that the existing Deportation Order will be either 'revoked' or 'affirmed'. Once such a decision has been made, this will be notified in writing.
The Deputy may wish to note that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically 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 Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
