Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 January 2024
167. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice the number of individuals who have arrived in Ireland at any port of entry, including Dublin Airport, without valid travel documents, despite presenting them at their point of departure, for each of the years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3283/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Border Management Unit of my Department is responsible for frontline Immigration at Dublin Airport only, as such the below figures reflect the position at Dublin Airport. Other airports and other ports of entry are the responsibility of the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). Data on this subject is not available in respect of such other ports of entry.
Immigration officials conduct passport checks, and run operations as required, to ensure passengers arriving in the State are properly documented in accordance with Section 11 of the Immigration Act 2004.
The BMU and the GNIB are working closely with airlines on a range of measures to ensure that passengers have the appropriate travel documentation when boarding.
Immigration officials are available 24/7 to assist airlines with queries in relation to immigration matters. In addition to providing advice to airlines on specific queries, training is provided to airline ground staff on current travel documentation requirements to help them reduce the number of passengers boarding flights without correct documentation.
The Department has recorded a 34% reduction in 2023 in the number of persons arriving in the State without the correct documentation.
Figures for 2024 to-date are not yet available.
Dublin Airport:
|
Year |
Total Arriving Passengers |
Undocumented Arrivals |
|
2018 |
15,634,300 |
895 |
|
2019 |
16,318,300 |
1579 |
|
2020 |
3,636,256 |
712 |
|
2021 |
4,118,027 |
2082 |
|
2022 |
13,930,041 |
4,968 |
|
2023 |
16,628,545 |
3,285 |
Section 2(1) of the Immigration Act 2003 places obligations on carriers to ensure that passengers travelling to the State are in possession of a valid travel document that establishes the person’s identity and nationality, and that they have the appropriate visa if required.
The Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) have responsibility for issuing Carrier Liability, notices and warnings and for the imposition of Carrier Liability Fines on carriers who permit a non-national to travel with their airline or ferry without the necessary entry or transit visa.
In 2022, the GNIB issued 958 carrier liability fines. To end November 2023, GNIB issued 918 Career Liability fines. Each fine is €1,500, rising to €3,000 for each offence if it not paid in 28 days.
