Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 393: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has made representations to the US Government regarding the deportation of Irish citizens for minor road traffic offences such as driving without insurance; if he would do so if such a case were brought to his attention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6439/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Our missions in the United States, for whom the welfare of the undocumented Irish is of the highest priority, are not aware of any case of an Irish citizen being deported solely for the offence of driving without insurance. However, there have been cases where Irish citizens have been arrested for such offences and then subsequently deported for being in the country without proper documentation. In this regard, and while Irish officials cannot interfere in the judicial processes of the United States, I can assure the Deputy that our missions offer every consular assistance to Irish citizens, including those before the courts and those facing deportation.