Majority of Deportation Orders Are Still Not Being Enforced – Tóibín
Aontú Leader and Meath West TD has strongly criticised the government for not implementing the law on immigration. He stated:
“The figures released by the Minister for Justice today on the number of deportations being actioned are damning. The Minister admitted that 1,792 deportation orders were issued so far this year, but admitted that at least 59% of these have not been actioned. I say at least, because the numbers not being actioned maybe far more. The Minister has confirmed to me in previous parliamentary questions, that she cannot stand over whether the 648 voluntary deportations were actioned or not. The Minister cannot say for sure that these people have left the country. The Minister openly admits that the government do not have the systems in place to confirm if people leave the country. The Minister can only confirm that out of 1792 deportations orders issued, that 98 were enforced”.
“The government still has not created the charted flights necessary to remove those who have received a deportation order. The Minister has also admitted to me by way of PQ that the number of Gardaí actually assigned to the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) has fallen in the last 2 years. A PQ that I have received also states that 1,764 people landed in just Dublin Airport this year so far without the necessary travel documents. Last year the figure was 3,287. These figures do not include other ports, airports or people coming across the border. The government have promised chartered flights and more Gardaí, but promises do not enforce the law”.
“It is clear that the Minister for Justice and the government has been asleep at the wheel on this issue for many years. This has put enormous pressure on the accommodation system and it has also sent out the message internationally that Ireland has an incredibly slow asylum processing system and even if you fail it you will most likely not be deported. Most people want a system that differentiates between those who need help and those who don’t. Most people want the law implemented speedily and effectively. That this is not happening yet is putting incredible pressure on scare resources.”
