Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. I have not seen the figures. We do have a problem with people entering the country illegally. This is the case and has been for quite some time. Sometimes people are not properly checked when they get on the plane. That happens in a different jurisdiction and there is very little we can do about it. Other times people use false documents. Sometimes, people destroy their documents. If people present at the airport to claim asylum and have no documents, it is very difficult for us to send them back. These are the practical difficulties that we face. Even without documents, people are entitled to apply for asylum. We have been increasing checks and increasing engagement with the airlines. We remind airlines they have a responsibility not to allow people to board unless they have the right documents and they have to take them back. We must also ensure that we have the checks at the airport.

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