Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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178. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there is regulation of immigration consultants; and if his attention has been drawn to such persons operating here and promising ready access and influence to the decision making process. [44559/17]

Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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179. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if there are restrictions on former Garda National Immigration Bureau, GNIB, officers setting themselves up as immigration consultants. [44560/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 178 and 179 together.

I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that it has no role in the regulation of immigration consultants in what is a private arrangement between an applicant and any person they wish to engage to advise them. I understand that a significant number of such consultants operate outside of the jurisdiction. Accordingly, the policy of INIS is that it only deals with the applicant or their legal representative who has written authority to act on the applicant's behalf. INIS does, of course, receive applications or representations made by immigration consultants on behalf of applicants, but treats them as if they had been received directly from the applicant and accordingly corresponds directly with the applicant concerned and in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2003.

I am not aware of any restrictions on retired members of An Garda Síochána acting as immigration consultants.