Written answers

Wednesday, 13 October 2010

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Residency Permits

9:00 pm

Photo of Aengus Ó SnodaighAengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 189: To ask the Minister for Justice and Law Reform further to his comments in the debate on the Immigration Residence and Protection Bill (details supplied) if he will clarify which categories of persons and the behaviour he was referring to; if it is his intention to exclude certain categories of migrants from family reunification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36616/10]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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It has always been the case that the rules with regard to family reunification have differed between the various classes of migrant present in the State. The rules are developed by reference to certain factors including the purpose for which the primary migrant entered the State, the category of residence granted to the primary migrant, the ability of the family unit to be economically viable in the State and other more general immigration matters such as public policy and security issues. It is therefore the case that certain classes of migrant, for example, certain classes of international student, are not eligible for family reunification by virtue of their status in the State while those who may be entering the State as an employment permit holder are eligible. In developing the rules in relation to family reunification and in the examination of such applications regard is had to the provisions of the Constitution and of relevant International conventions so as to ensure that our practices are in conformity with our obligations in the area.

With regard to my comments during the debate on the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill, I simply illustrated the fact that there are certain classes of migrant who would not in the normal course be considered eligible to migrate to the State but who have entered the State under whatever guise and who it may not have been possible to remove from the State. To provide that such persons are eligible for family reunification while denying eligibility to those who entered the State in accordance with immigration rules is not acceptable.

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