Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason, in dealing with applications for refugee status which have been declined and where a deportation order has issued, he will not facilitate the voluntary return of applicants to their country of origin, thereby incurring additional costs to the State of repatriation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30226/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Deportation Orders made under section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 require the foreign national specified in the order to leave the State within such period as may be specified in the order and to remain thereafter out of the State. Thus, a Deportation Order is a requirement imposed on a person to leave the State and to remain outside of the State.

I should point out that the onus is on the individual who is the subject of a Deportation Order to remove themselves from the State. Where persons fail to leave the State or resist or evade their removal from the State the enforcement of the Deportation Order will be pursued by the Garda National Immigration Bureau.

I can assure the Deputy that in cases where a person decides to cooperate in relation to their removal from the State every effort is made to effect the removal as speedily as possible. In cases where a person is the subject of a Deportation Order and wishes to leave the State, they should contact the Garda National Immigration Bureau with their passport and their removal from the State will be facilitated at the earliest possible opportunity. However, where a person does not have their passport, difficulties can arise in securing travel documents from countries of origin which are necessary to permit persons to travel and this can lead to difficulties in finalising travel arrangements. My Department will continue to work with the authorities of the relevant country to obtain travel documents for such persons.

I should also point out that any person for whom it is proposed to make a Deportation Order is given ample notice, opportunity and assistance to voluntarily return to their country of origin prior to the Order being made.