Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

995. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on reports that €700,000 of taxpayers money has been spent trying to deport a person (details supplied) who was based in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36884/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am unaware where the figure mentioned by the Deputy has emanated from and there is no question of a sum of this nature having been incurred in the effecting the removal in question. I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service of my Department that the cost of the flights involving the person referred to by the Deputy amounted to approximately €5,600. The costs incurred by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) are not to hand but based on other similar type operations they are unlikely to be significantly more than the figure quoted above. The execution of Deportation Orders, including the Order in relation to this person is a matter for the GNIB.

On a more general note, the removal of persons from the State is an essential element of the enforcement of immigration legislation. All persons who are subject to Deportation Orders are required to leave the State and their failure to do so is an offence and renders them liable for forcible removal. There can be no question of the State abrogating its responsibilities in this respect.