Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 185: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will reconsider on humanitarian or compassionate grounds his decision to deport persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15856/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The persons concerned, a Bosnian national and three Croatian nationals, arrived in the State on 28 May 2001 and 4 July 2001 respectively and claimed asylum. Their applications were refused following a first instance determination by the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner which was upheld, at appeal, by the Office of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal on 30 June 2003.

They were notified of the decision to refuse them refugee status by letters dated 30 July 2003 and 13 August 2003 in which they were informed of the three options open to them at that point, that is, to leave the State before their cases were considered for deportation; consent to the making of deportation orders in respect of them; or make written representations, within 15 working days, to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform setting out the reasons they should not be deported, namely, why they should be allowed to remain temporarily in the State.

Their cases were examined under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 and section 5 of the Refugee Act 1996, prohibition of refoulement. On 27 April 2005, deportation orders were made in respect of them. This decision was made following a full and comprehensive examination of the family's case, including consideration of representations received on their behalf from the refugee legal service for temporary leave to remain in the State. Notice of the orders were served by registered post requiring them to present themselves to the Garda national immigration bureau today Thursday, 12 May 2005 for travel arrangements to be put in place to effect their return.

The enforcement of the deportation orders is now an operational matter for the Garda national immigration bureau.