Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I can advise the Deputy that deportation and removal processes are an essential part of any immigration system. It must be acknowledged that those who do not have a legal right to remain in this country must remove themselves from the State.

Where a Deportation Order is made, that person then has no legal basis to remain in the State. However, persons in receipt of a Deportation Order can apply to have the Order revoked under Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) by presenting new evidence and may also legally challenge the Order.

When a Deportation Order is made and served, the person concerned is legally obliged to remove themselves from the State and to remain outside of the State. It is the case that significant numbers of individuals who were subject to Deportation Orders have left the State without notifying the relevant authorities. The Garda National Immigration Bureau has reviewed a sample of the cases from last year of those who were subject to deportation orders. Their inquiries suggest a significant number of these individuals have left the State.