Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 391: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of deportation orders signed in each year since May 2002; the number of persons who have been deported in each year; the action which has been taken regarding those who have not been deported in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17969/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The total number of cases considered for deportation under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended), during the years 2002-2006 (to 30 April 2006) and the results thereof are shown in the Table below:

The majority of the above cases referred to in the Table involve persons who claimed asylum but their claims were rejected.

My Department's records show that, at present, there are in excess of 7,300 persons represented as evading Deportation Orders or Dublin II Regulation Transfer Orders, whose whereabouts are unknown to the Garda National Immigration Bureau. However, it is believed that most of these have already left the State. If, however, it is the case that any of these persons are still in the State, their presence here is illegal and they are therefore subject to arrest and detention for the purposes of their removal from the State.

In a very significant number of cases, Deportation Orders have not been effected arising from challenges in the High Court by way of Judicial Review. There are, at present, 425 'live' judicial review cases ongoing and the enforcement of Orders in these cases is generally suspended pending the outcome of such proceedings.