Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 March 2018
200. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the recently published report from Nasc Ireland, Immigration Detention and Border Control in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14724/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI note that the report to which the Deputy refers was published on 14 March 2018. The report refers to an earlier report from 10 years ago and draws conclusions from sample cases over a two year period. My officials will study its contents over the coming period. Indeed, I am happy to note that officials of my Department, the Prison Service and other agencies participated in key stakeholder interviews for the purposes of the report.
As the Deputy will appreciate, every State has a duty to protect its borders and to refuse entry to those persons not entitled to enter the State. This is a fundamental exercise of State sovereignty necessary to protect the security of the State and to prevent illegal immigration.
The exercise of powers in this area is subject to the law and respect for individual rights. Similarly, the seeking of International Protection is governed by national and international laws.
I would point out that detention in a Garda Station or prison of a person refused entry to the State is undertaken as a last resort. Indeed, there is a statutory obligation to return a person refused entry permission as soon as is practicable. Most persons are returned on the same day that they are refused entry.
It is also worth noting that An Garda Síochána in conjunction with the Office of Public Works are undertaking a project at Dublin Airport (by far the busiest point of entry to the State) to refurbish and fit-out an existing facility to provide a Garda Station, office accommodation and detention facilities.
Finally, it should be noted that the numbers of passengers arriving at Dublin airport (by far the busiest point of entry to the State and with the greatest number of decisions refusing entry permission) has risen markedly in the last number of years. Overall, passenger numbers at Dublin airport have grown by 58% since 2011, from 18.7 million to 29.6 million. However, the numbers refused permission to enter the State as a percentage of overall incoming passengers has remained virtually unchanged at approximately 0.025% of incoming passengers. In this context, the sample size used in the report is extremely small when measured against the number of passengers encountered in any period.
