Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael)
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Question 179: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding an undocumented person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13029/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I should say at the outset that it would be inappropriate for me to give legal advice by way of answer to a Parliamentary Question. Moreover, this is further underscored by the fact that the Minister for Justice and Equality is in law responsible for the operation of our immigration legislation.

The situation as presented to the Deputy appears to constitute a clear breach of the law over a sustained period and as such that cannot be ignored. Ireland like all other countries is entitled to uphold its sovereign right to manage its borders to ensure, inter alia, that the State is not, for example, left in a situation where it has to take on financial and/or welfare obligations in respect of persons who have flouted our laws.

I would say by way of general comment that the person in question should immediately contact in writing the Immigration Service of my Department - General Immigration Section, Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service, 13/14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2 - to set out the circumstances of her case, how she entered and remained in the State together with any extenuating factors. Pending an examination of her case, I am not in a position to make any further comment at this stage. However, I would say that, at a minimum, continued disregard of law would most certainly be adverse to her interests.