Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 393: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the protocols in place for the exiting of children both national and non-national at Shannon Airport, County Clare; if his attention has been drawn to any children, both national and non-national, who have gone missing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20614/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Members of An Garda Síochána who have been appointed as Immigration Officers conduct immigration control duties at approved ports of entry in respect of persons entering the State in compliance with the relevant immigration legislation. Immigration controls are not routinely undertaken in respect of persons who are exiting the State. However, from time to time, in the course of particular initiatives or Garda investigations, the monitoring of the movement of people out of the State at approved ports is undertaken. When the Garda Síochána becomes aware that a Court Order has directed that a minor is not to leave the jurisdiction or attaches restrictions to such movement, relevant information is circulated to personnel engaged in the immigration process at approved ports with a view to appropriate action being taken if a breach of such order is detected. Missing people, including minors and vulnerable adults, are reported at their local Garda Station, where investigations are conducted under the direction of the local Superintendent. The records kept on missing people do not indicate whether their subjects were, or were not, seeking asylum when they were reported missing. Missing people investigations do not differentiate between subjects who are or are not asylum seekers.