Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 3: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if representatives from his Department or associated agencies have travelled to Nigeria to monitor the implementation of the re-admission agreement entered into with the Nigerian Government in August 2001 (details supplied) under which the Government has committed itself to safeguarding the human rights and dignity of those being returned when repatriation has taken place; the details of such visits to Nigeria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29933/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A bilateral agreement on immigration matters, including re-admission, was concluded in 2001 between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The agreement has not yet been officially ratified by the Nigerian side so there is not, as yet, in existence a co-ordinating committee as provided for in Article XIX of the agreement. Notwithstanding its non-ratification, both sides are operating in the spirit of the agreement, particularly in the area of repatriation.

A senior official from my Department and two senior officers from the Garda national immigration bureau travelled to Nigeria in April of this year to meet with a number of Government and non-government organisations involved in the area of immigration and returns, accompanied by Ireland's ambassador to Nigeria and a consular official.

Specifically, the delegation met with Government officials from various elements of the Nigerian immigration service and the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons. The delegation also met with the Nigerian office of the International Organisation for Migration, which manages assisted voluntary returns programmes there. Further meetings took place with representatives from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and with visa officers and airline liaison officers representing a number of EU member states. There were useful exchanges between all parties. One of the outcomes of this visit is that arrangements are in train for a month long visit to Ireland later this year by officials from the Nigerian immigration service to study our system.

The human rights guaranteed by Article XX of the agreement are given effect to by section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996, which I am obliged to consider when returning a person to Nigeria, or any other third country, before making a deportation order. This provides that a person shall not be expelled from the State or returned in any manner whatsoever to the frontiers of territories where, in the opinion of the Minister, the life or freedom of that person would be threatened on account of his or her race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion. Extensive country of origin information, including reports prepared by the UNHCR and similar independent bodies, are always consulted in making an evaluation.

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am shocked to hear that the Nigerian Government has not ratified this agreement yet the Minister is continuing to send people to that country to meet their fate under a regime which has been characterised by a lack of human rights and the use of torture. The Minister has failed to convince me that the terms and conditions of the readmission agreement with Nigeria are being honoured.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A question, please.

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Could I remind the Minister that under the re-admission agreement, Ireland has committed itself to safeguarding the human rights and dignity of those who have been returned during the deportation process and when repatriation has taken place? However, what appears to be occurring——

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy should ask a question, please.

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Is the Minister aware that when people are returned to Nigeria, the gardaí and Irish officials leave within 24 hours? This is not good enough. The Minister is not honouring his side of the agreement to make sure the human rights of those who have been repatriated are honoured. Those human rights must be respected.

To deport individuals from Ireland to volatile countries headed by corrupt governments or regimes, where hunger and violence are a part of everyday life, is deplorable. In particular, I bring the Minister's attention to the plight of the "aged out" minors who are currently living under the threat of deportation. The Minister has received correspondence from myself and my constituency colleagues in that regard. These are young men and women who came to Ireland as children. They are particularly vulnerable if sent back. Is the Minister aware of the impact of deportation and repatriation on these young people? As an example, I will give the story of Portia.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Deputies cannot give the Minister examples of anything. Also, the Deputy is reading a script, which is totally inappropriate during Question Time.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy is right. It is a disgrace.

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Is the Minister aware of an "aged out" minor who lived in Ireland for over two years?

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

It is not appropriate to ask to ask the Minister if he is aware of something and then make a speech. That is not in order.

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Is he aware she was deported to Lagos just before her 20th birthday?

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Minister has just over one minute to respond.

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

On arrival, she was taken into custody and released on the payment of a fine. In conclusion——

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Deputy, it is inappropriate to read a speech into the record at Question Time.

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

What has the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform done to honour the agreement? The Minister has not even waited for the agreement to be ratified.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We have used almost six minutes on this question. I call the Minister.

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Every country of the European Union returns people to Nigeria. If I was to take on board the ill-considered views of the Deputy on this matter, nobody would be returned to Nigeria.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

He is not a lone voice.

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

He is not. A couple of others have equally ill-considered views, perhaps including Deputy Finian McGrath.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

They are humanitarian views.

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

If I were to state in the House, as Deputy Cuffe invites me to do, that nobody who comes to this country from Nigeria will be sent back there, the result would be plain for all to see.

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Nobody is saying that.

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputy is saying that. He is suggesting that nobody should be sent back there.

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I can speak for myself.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I ask Deputy Cuffe to allow the Minister to reply.

Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

If it involved Irish citizens in America, the Minister would be jumping up and down.

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Deputies cannot have it every way. There has been a significant flow of people from Nigeria to Ireland, where they claim asylum, with a very high rejection rate. The predominant motivation of the great majority of people who come to Ireland and claim asylum has been economic — let us be honest about it. If this country, which has had an inordinately high flow of asylum seekers from Nigeria in proportion to its population, were to do what Deputy Cuffe suggests, the situation would spiral out of control. I have reduced it dramatically by the steps I have taken. I thank God I am in the position of Minister because if the Deputy and other members of the rainbow coalition were making similar decisions, we would have chaos.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The question is concluded. I call Question No. 4

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I want to ask a supplementary question.

Rory O'Hanlon (Cavan-Monaghan, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context

We have used six and a half minutes on this question. I call the Minister on Question No. 4.

Ciarán Cuffe (Dún Laoghaire, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

What measures have been put in place to ensure the rights of these people are honoured?