Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 343: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will support a matter (details supplied). [39716/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy will be aware, from my PQ reply to him of 21 October, that having been advised of the difficulties being experienced by Killester United Football Club members at immigration at Sao Paolo airport our Embassy immediately contacted the immigration authorities to ascertain why the group had been refused entry. Our Embassy was informed by the Brazilian authorities that the decision to refuse entry was based on an alleged incident involving two members of the group and two Brazilian citizens during the Iberia flight from Madrid to Sao Paulo. It is understood that on landing in Sao Paulo, the Brazilian citizens lodged a formal complaint with the Military Police at the airport who are responsible for immigration control and that this complaint was verified by a number of other passengers on the flight. The Embassy was informed that the decision to refuse entry was based on this complaint and its subsequent verification by Brazilian authorities.

As I mentioned in my earlier reply to the Deputy the application of Brazilian law is a matter for the Brazilian authorities and it is not appropriate for the Department of Foreign Affairs to become directly involved in that process. However, our Embassy has again contacted the Brazilian Immigration Police authorities and were, I understand, informed that the citizens/ group involved could send complaint for the attention of the Federal Police Superintendent in the State where the refusal occurred. Our Embassy was also informed that the Superintendent in charge will consider any such complaint and decide whether or not to send it to the Delegate at Immigration in the airport who made the decision for refusal. My Department will provide you with the contact details for the relevant Superintendent in São Paulo, as provided to them by the Brazilian authorities.

I also understand that our Embassy has been advised that any complaint should be laid out clearly, in as much detail as possible, and must be sent in Portuguese. If the group require any further information in this regard, they are welcome to contact the Consular Section of my Department. I also understand that there is no agency similar to our Garda Ombudsman tasked with the consideration of complaints and/or any compensation which might arise following a refusal of entry and that it appears from our Embassy's contact with the Brazilian authorities that any form of compensation is extremely unlikely.