Written Answers Nos. 116-125
116. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the result of a refugee appeal will be determined in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52521/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIf 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 or their designated legal advisor 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 Customer Service Centre, International Protection Office, 79-83 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2.
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 on 27 February 2017, which is available on the website of the International Protection Office www.ipo.gov.ie.
Similarly, the International Protection Appeals Tribunal operate an email which can be contacted by individuals with any queries regarding their application - info@protectionappeals.ie.
Under Section 26 of the International Protection Act 2015, it is an offence to identify an international protection applicant. The offence is punishable by summary conviction to a Class A fine or a term of imprisonment of 12 months or both.
117. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the result of a refugee appeal will be determined in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52522/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIf 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 or their designated legal advisor 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 Customer Service Centre, International Protection Office, 79-83 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2. Similarly, the International Protection Appeals Tribunal operate an email which can be contacted by individuals with any queries regarding their appeal application - info@protectionappeals.ie.
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 on 27 February 2017, which is available on the website of the International Protection Office www.ipo.gov.ie.
Under Section 26 of the International Protection Act 2015, it is an offence to identify an international protection applicant. The offence is punishable by summary conviction to a Class A fine or a term of imprisonment of 12 months or both.
118. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52523/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that an offer of temporary and limited immigration permission (Stamp 0 status) issued to the person concerned by registered post on 26 September 2017, and again on 23 November 2017; no reply has been received to date. The person's request for Stamp 4 permission is a separate request and is under consideration. Further correspondence on this will issue shortly to the person concerned.
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.
119. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position with regard to the determination of permission to remain and eligibility for stamp 4 in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52525/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIf 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 or their designated legal advisor 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 Customer Service Centre, International Protection Office, 79-83 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2.
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 on 27 February 2017, which is available on the website of the International Protection Office www.ipo.gov.ie.
Under Section 26 of the International Protection Act 2015, it is an offence to identify an international protection applicant. The offence is punishable by summary conviction to a Class A fine or a term of imprisonment of 12 months or both.
120. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52526/17]
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 20 June 2002. The Deputy might wish to note that persons 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, including all representations made around family reunification, the Deportation Order was affirmed on 09 November 2017. If, as is claimed, the relevant party is already outside the State, then clearly the presentation requirement referred to in the Deputy's Question does not apply. However, it would be very helpful if this position could be supported by documentary evidence so that the relevant INIS and Garda National Immigration Bureau records can be updated.
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.
121. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reconsidered on humanitarian grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52527/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 05 December 2017, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of them.
They were given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order, or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why they should not have a Deportation Order made against them.
The position in the State of the person concerned will now be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable legislation. All representations submitted will be considered before a final decision is made.
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.
122. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of times section 78 of the International Protection Act 2015 giving gardaí the power to access private property to effect deportation orders has been used by members of An Garda Síochána or immigration officers since the Act came into force. [52551/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe enforcement of deportation orders is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB).
I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that they are in contact with the GNIB on the matter and I will revert to the Deputy as soon as possible.
123. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of times section 81 of the International Protection Act 2015 has been used by An Garda Síochána or immigration officers to refuse entry or leave to land since the Act came into force. [52552/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that the above grounds under section 4(3) of the Immigration Act 2004 (as inserted by section 81(b) of the International Protection Act 2015) has not been invoked to date.
The provision was created as a response to strong evidence that persons who had prior legal residence or permission to enter another territory of the Common Travel Area (CTA) were entering the State and in many cases making applications for protection solely for the purpose of prolonging their stay in the CTA. The fact that it has yet to be invoked may indicate that it has been effective as a deterrent to this form of abuse of the protection system and the CTA.
This provision will remain in place to be utilised should it prove necessary to protect the integrity of the Common Travel Area and the international protection process.
124. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the annual breakdown of the staffing commitment of An Garda Síochána and the immigration services to Operation Gull since 2008. [52553/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my reply to Dáil Question No. 225 of 5 December 2017.
I am advised by An Garda Síochána that it is not possible in the time available to provide the details requested by the Deputy beyond those supplied in my reply of 5 December 2017, and that efforts to do so would require the expenditure of a disproportionate and inordinate amount of Garda resources and time. However, the Garda National Immigration Bureau are examining what available information can be compiled and I will revert to the Deputy as soon as possible.
125. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the annual breakdown of the number and nationality of persons arrested or detained by An Garda Síochána or the immigration services as part of Operation Gull since 2008. [52554/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my reply to Dáil Question No. 225 of 5 December 2017.
I am advised by An Garda Síochána that it is not possible in the time available to provide the details requested by the Deputy beyond those supplied in my reply of 5 December 2017, and that efforts to do so would require the expenditure of a disproportionate and inordinate amount of Garda resources and time. However, the Garda National Immigration Bureau are examining what available information can be compiled and I will revert to the Deputy as soon as possible.
