Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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556. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 455 of 24 January 2023, if he has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities for this question to be answered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8261/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Further to Parliamentary Question No. 455 of 24 January 2023 I can confirm that carriers are required to ensure that passengers travelling to the State are in possession of a valid travel document that establishes the person’s identity and nationality, and that they have the appropriate visa if required. Section 2(1) of the Immigration Act 2003 specifically refers.

Where a person arrives in the State without the required documentation, such as a visa or a passport, the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) will issue notices and fines to the responsible carriers.

Carrier liability fines are provided for in the Immigration Act 2003 (Carrier Liability) Regulations 2003.

In 2022, I am advised that the GNIB issued 964 carrier liability fines. Each fine is €1,500, rising to €3,000 for each offence if it isn’t paid in 28 days. Approximately €1.1 million has been paid to An Garda Síochána to date for the year 2022. However, November 2022 and December 2022 claims are still being processed.

Immigration Officials are actively engaging with airport authorities and airlines at a senior level to underscore the importance of passengers possessing correct documentation and to provide support in helping them to reduce the number of passengers boarding flights without the correct documentation.

The Border Management Unit and the GNIB are working closely with airlines on a range of measures to ensure that passengers have such documentation when boarding. Border Management Unit officials are available 24/7 to assist airlines with queries they have in relation to immigration matters.