Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide information on the number of Syrian nationals, if any, that were refused leave to land here in 2012 in view of the recent comments by the High Commissioner for Refugee, Mr António Guterres, in Dublin, to keep EU borders open to those fleeing violence in Syria [3834/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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I am informed that 11 people who presented as Syrian nationals were refused leave to land in 2012, three of whom were subsequently permitted to enter the State having made an application pursuant to the Refugee Act, 1996 (as amended). The remaining eight persons were returned to their last port of departure for the State. The Deputy will be aware that at the recent informal JHA Council which I chaired under our Irish Presidency of the EU, the issue of Syria was discussed. I was very pleased to provide the opportunity to Mr. Guterres to update my ministerial colleagues from the Member States on the humanitarian crisis that is unfolding in Syria. There is, of course, no doubt, but that the State will fulfil its obligations to those persons in need of protection.