Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons refused entry at Dublin Airport and Dublin Port for the years 2010, 2011 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4772/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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In each of the years 2010, 2011 and 2012, the number of non-nationals refused permission to enter the State at Dublin Airport was 2,017, 1,981 and 1,690, respectively. Of those refused permission to enter in the years in question, 259, 206 and 135 were subsequently permitted to enter the State having made an application pursuant to the Refugee Act, 1996 (as amended). At Dublin Port, a total of 135, 32 and 44 non-nationals were refused permission to enter the State in the years 2010, 2011 and 2012. Of these, 4, 1 and 3 respectively were subsequently allowed to enter the State having made an asylum application.

I might add that in all cases, removals from the State, whether in respect of those who are removed on arrival at ports of entry or those already in the State, are conducted in accordance with the law with removals at the Port of Entry being, essentially, an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau. The removal of illegal immigrants from the State is a necessary feature of the enforcement of immigration legislation with the purpose of upholding the integrity of the immigration system. In enforcing the law in this respect, Ireland is no different from other countries who also remove individuals who have no lawful right to remain within their territory.