Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

I gave the Deputy the figures in relation to the number of deportation orders signed and effected. Then I said that in those years there were also voluntary returns. I said, "So as to give the House the full picture I should also add that in the period in question so many voluntary returns...", and then there was the issue in relation to the free movement of persons. I was trying to give as full a picture as possible regarding how many people in the system would have left. At the same time I indicated that there was a substantial number of people who would never come to the attention of the authorities if they had returned. They disappear out of the system.

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