Written answers

Wednesday, 23 March 2005

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Asylum Applications

9:00 pm

Photo of Willie PenroseWillie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 248: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9656/05]

Photo of Willie PenroseWillie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 249: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the status of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9657/05]

Photo of Michael McDowellMichael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 248 and 249 together.

The two persons referred to by the Deputy are Nigerian women who were deported from the State on a charter flight to Lagos on the night of the 14 to 15 March 2005. One of the women was accompanied in the State by four of her children, while the other was accompanied by two children. The asylum applications of both women and their children were refused following negative determinations by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner and the Office of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal. Their cases were further considered under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999, as amended, and section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996, including representations on their behalf for leave to remain in the State, before deportation orders were signed.

Despite the best efforts of the Garda national immigration bureau on the day of the removals to maintain the unity of both families, the women refused to co-operate with the Garda in locating the whereabouts of all their children. In the end both women were deported accompanied by only one child each. It is understood that the remaining four children, who were hidden from the Garda, were passed into the care of other local Nigerian nationals by their mothers. I am told by the Garda national immigration bureau that the local area Health Service Executive has been informed of the position in regard to these children.

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