Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)

Despite the fact that I raised the issue on two previous occasions in the House, can the Minister not tell us yet how many non-national prisoners released from prison over the past six years were not considered for deportation under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999? Can he not tell us how many so released have re-offended and have further convictions or are before our courts on further charges?

Why was the information I requested on two occasions in the Dáil — on 10 and 23 May — not furnished? Did the Minister have the information and fail to give it or did he not have the information, thereby demonstrating he is not able to do his job under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999?

What was the process put in place after the 1999 Act provided for the deportation of non-national prisoners by ministerial order? The Minister referred to the fact that a systematic process was put in place. Is it not correct that the process was only begun this time last year? Furthermore, is it not correct that the necessary liaison between the Irish Prison Service, the Courts Service and other bodies, including the Minister's office, was only put in place six or seven weeks ago, coincidentally or otherwise around the time of the furore which led to the departure of the then UK Home Secretary, Mr. Charles Clarke, because of the same issue?

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