Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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83. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of deportation orders signed under section 3 of the Immigration Act in each of the years 2013 to 2016 to date, in tabular form; if they were asylum-related or non-asylum related; the numbers of these enforced and the number of these subsequently revoked under section 3 (11); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21413/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that a Deportation Order requires a person to remove themselves from the State and it is only where they fail to do so that the State is forced to remove them and enforce the rule of law. The process leading to deportation is extensive with many avenues of appeal, including judicial review in the High Court, open to persons subject to Deportation Orders.

The statistics requested by the Deputy are set out in the various following tables. It should be noted that the overwhelming majority of persons who arrive at the frontiers of the State without permission to enter or reside here are refused leave to land, without ever reaching the stage where they would be considered under the section 3 process. Indeed, this figure has risen substantially to almost 3,500 last year and is expected to exceed 4,000 this year and the figures are included below for completeness.

In determining whether to make a Deportation Order, I must have regard to the factors set out in Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act, 1999, as amended, and Section 5 (Prohibition of Refoulement) of the Refugee Act, 1996, as amended, as well as any other relevant statutory provisions, Constitutional or international human rights arising.

This essentially means that the safety of returning a person, or refoulement as it is commonly referred to, is threatened fully considered in every case when deciding whether or not to make a Deportation Order i.e. that a person shall not be expelled from the State or returned in any manner whatsoever to a State where the life or freedom of that person would be on account of his or her race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion.

Number of Deportation orders from 2013 to date (11/07/2016) broken down by Asylum Seekers or Illegals

Number of Deportations Enforced from 2013 to date (11/07/2016)

Number of revocations under Section 3(11) of the Immigration act (1999) as amended 2013 to date (11/07/2016)

Refused Leave to Land 2013 to 2016