Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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577. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of potential asylum seekers that have been turned away from ports of entry over the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33328/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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Section 8(1)(a) of the Refugee Act, 1996 (as amended) provides that a person who arrives at the frontiers of the State seeking asylum or the protection of the State against persecution or requesting not to be removed or returned to a particular country may apply to the Minister for a declaration of refugee status.

Any person who makes an asylum application at a port of entry must be given permission to enter and remain in the State until their application for international protection is determined.

I am not aware of any instance where a person seeking the State's protection has been refused entry at a port.